Influencer Apologizes After Backlash for Snatching Baby Wombat in Viral Video.
American influencer Sam Jones has issued a public apology after facing intense backlash for a viral video in which she picked up a baby wombat from its mother and ran away as the joey screeched in distress. The footage, filmed in Australia, sparked outrage among wildlife experts, animal lovers, and even Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who condemned her actions as an “outrage”.
Jones, who describes herself as a “wildlife biologist and environmental scientist”, took to Instagram on Friday, March 14 to defend her actions and express regret, stating:
“I have done a great deal of reflection on this situation and have realized that I did not handle it as best as I should have.”
However, despite her apology, many remain unconvinced, accusing her of animal cruelty and using wildlife for social media clout.
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Viral Video Shows Distressed Wombat Joey
The now-deleted video, originally captured by 10 News First, showed Jones approaching a baby wombat on the side of a road at night before grabbing it and running away, laughing, as the joey cried out for its mother. The mother wombat was seen frantically chasing after them.
"Look at the mother, it’s chasing after her!" the cameraman is heard saying in the footage.
Jones then excitedly exclaims, “I caught a baby wombat!” before adding, “OK, mama’s right there and she is pissed, let’s let him go.”
The video instantly went viral, with critics accusing Jones of terrifying the animals and potentially endangering the joey’s survival. Animal cruelty laws in Australia are strict, with penalties of up to $149,000 USD in fines and seven years in prison for offenses.
Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in, slamming Jones' behavior:
"Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there," he remarked.
Jones Defends Her Actions, Claims It Wasn’t for Social Media
In her lengthy apology, Jones claimed she acted out of concern for the wombat’s safety and not for social media attention. She insisted that she believed the animals were in danger when she saw them “not moving” on the road.
“As wombats are so often hit on Australian roads, I stopped to ensure they got off safely and didn’t get hit,” she wrote.
“When I walked up to them, the joey did not move or run off. I was concerned it may have been sick or injured and made a snap judgment to pick up the joey and see if this was the case.”
Jones said she quickly examined the joey and then returned it to its mother, claiming they both “went off together”.
She also denied staging the video for engagement, stating:
“This was never about social media or getting likes.”
However, many remain skeptical, pointing out that her laughter in the video contradicts her claims of serious concern for the animal.
Influencer Flees Australia Amid Legal Scrutiny
Following the backlash, Jones abruptly left Australia, with officials confirming she had voluntarily departed.
According to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, the Australian government is reviewing the conditions of her visa, suggesting she could face legal consequences if she returns.
Australia has some of the strictest animal protection laws, and Jones could face hefty fines or even jail time if charged with an offense.
However, in the second half of her statement, Jones shifted the focus, claiming that she is the real victim in the situation.
“Thousands threaten my life,” she wrote, before criticizing the Australian government for allegedly “permitting the slaughter of wombats” while targeting her instead.
She also took aim at Prime Minister Albanese, writing:
“While the prime minister wishes harm on me for picking up a wombat, I implore you to take a good, hard look at the real issues in Australia.”
Public Outrage Continues as Jones Faces Fallout
Jones’ attempts to justify her actions have done little to quiet the backlash. Wildlife experts have reiterated that interfering with wild animals can cause immense distress and impact their survival.
Her claims of being a “wildlife biologist and environmental scientist” are also being questioned, with many demanding proof of her credentials.
For now, Jones remains out of Australia, but as public anger continues to grow, her reputation—and possibly her legal standing—may not recover anytime soon.
