The Australian government is currently reviewing the visa of a US influencer who filmed a baby wombat from its mother in footage shared on Instagram.
Montana-based hunting enthusiast Sam Jones faced intense backlash after a video circulated online showing her picking up a baby wombat from the roadside while its distressed mother looked on.
Jones’ actions prompted swift condemnation from animal advocacy groups and have now garnered the attention of the Department of Home Affairs.
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Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the department is investigating whether Jones’ actions breached the conditions of her tourist visa.
"The department is now working through the conditions on her visa and determining whether immigration law has been breached," Burke said.
"Given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I’ll be surprised if she even bothers.
"I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual. I don’t expect she will return."
PETA has also called on the government to fine Jones and cancel her visa for disturbing Australian wildlife.
PETA further suggested that Jones should donate money to wildlife rescue organizations.
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"If Jones is contrite and has learned any lesson, she needs to show it," said PETA senior campaigns advisor Mimi Bekhechi.
"While she cannot ever compensate for the distress caused to a wombat mother and her joey, she can help other wildlife in trouble by donating to bona fide certified rescue groups that are currently inundated with wildlife displaced by Cyclone Alfred."
In the since-deleted footage shared to Instagram, Jones was seen picking up a small joey wombat and running to a car, while the mother wombat appeared distressed.
Jones later returned the smaller wombat to the grassy side of the road after filming the encounter.
She remarked in her video caption to her 92,000 followers that it was her "dream" to hold a baby wombat.
Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) vet Dr. Tania Bishop expressed her outrage at the footage, stating she was "absolutely appalled" by what she saw.
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"It’s just a completely inappropriate and wrong way to interact with any animals, let alone our native wildlife," Dr. Bishop commented.
The specific location of this incident in Australia remains unknown.
Jones has since set her Instagram account to private shortly after 9news.com.au contacted her for comments.
It is important to note that Australian native animals are protected under both state and Commonwealth legislation.
While regulations vary by state, in areas such as the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales, and Tasmania, it is illegal to take, catch, or harm native animals.
No charges have been laid in relation to this incident.
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