American Influencer Criticised for Baby Wombat Incident in Snowy Mountains

In a controversial event that unfolded in the Snowy Mountains, American influencer Sam Jones, also known by her online pseudonym Samantha Strable, has faced severe backlash for filming herself taking a baby wombat from its mother on a roadside. The footage, which went viral on social media, has sparked debates over ethical wildlife interactions and the influence of social media on wildlife conservation.

PHOTO: Sam Jones with the baby wombat – A screenshot taken from the Instagram account ‘samstrays_somewhere’.

The Prime Minister condemned the act as an “outrage” and challenged the influencer to attempt handling other Australian wildlife with similar disregard.

PHOTO: The baby wombat’s mother was near by and visibly stressed.

The incident has prompted Australia’s Department of Home Affairs to investigate whether Ms Jones breached her visa conditions. Dr Meg Shaw from Monash University highlighted the broader implications of such incidents, stating, “This incident highlights the broader issue of posts on social media platforms normalising harmful interactions with wildlife.” Dr Shaw pointed out the risks of these interactions, including increased stress and reduced breeding success among wildlife.

Dr Di Evans from RSPCA Australia, as reported by The Guardian, described the video as showing “blatant disregard” for the welfare of the animals, noting that such separations can be harmful to the joey and its mother. The incident also prompted discussions on legal repercussions, as it is generally illegal in Australia to harm or take native wildlife without the necessary permits.