American Tourist May Be Deported for Taking Baby Wombat
An American tourist, Sam Jones, who was filmed picking up and running off with a wild baby wombat, may have to leave Australia if officials find that she violated the conditions of her visa. A video shared on social media shows Jones, with 92,000 Instagram followers, running with the baby wombat while its distressed mother chases after her.
(Source: Instagram.com/Samstrays_somewhere)
Video Details and Location
The video does not specify when or where it was filmed, but it appears to have been taken at night on a country road in southeastern Australia, which is known for being home to most wombats. Experts believe the wombats in the video were common wombats, the only species that is not considered endangered. However, all native Australian animals, including wombats, are protected by law.
Australian Minister’s Comments on the Incident
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, has said that the department is reviewing Jones’s visa to see if she has violated any conditions. He indicated that she might never be allowed to return to Australia, stating, “Given the scrutiny she will face if she applies for a visa again, I doubt she will even try. I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of her, and I don’t expect her to return.”
Prime Minister Criticizes the Act
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also commented on the incident, calling it an outrage. He suggested that Jones try taking a baby crocodile from its mother to see how that turns out. “Taking a baby wombat from its mother and causing distress is wrong. Maybe try taking a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go,” he said.
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What the Video Showed
The video, which was later deleted from Instagram and TikTok, shows a woman running across the road holding the baby wombat. A man off-camera laughs and says, “Just caught a baby wombat.” He then adds, “Look at the mother, chasing after her,” as the adult wombat chases the woman onto the road.
Ecologists and Wildlife Experts React
The video has horrified ecologists and wildlife carers, as the sudden separation of the wombat and its baby would have caused stress to both animals. Professor Barry Brook, an ecologist at the University of Tasmania, said, “Yanking a baby from its mother and running with it is one of the worst things you can do.”
Wombats typically do not attack humans, but they have strong claws that can cause serious injury if used on human skin. “It’s not a situation anyone should put themselves in, both for the animals’ sake and their own safety. Posting this on social media for likes is completely wrong,” added Brook.
Concerns About the Baby Wombat’s Welfare
Wildlife veterinarian Tanya Bishop from WIRES raised concerns about whether the baby wombat was injured from being carried by its front legs. She said wildlife officials are still trying to identify where the video was shot to investigate further.
Jones’s Response to Criticism
Jones reportedly responded to the criticism online before making her social media accounts private. She claimed that the baby wombat was “carefully held for one minute” and then released back to its mother. “They wandered back into the bush together, completely unharmed,” she said, insisting that she never harms wildlife.
Common Wombats and Their Protection
Although common wombats are not considered endangered, other species like the southern hairy-nosed wombat are at risk. Wildlife experts like Bishop emphasize the importance of protecting all wildlife. “Over the 25 years I’ve worked as a wildlife vet, I’ve seen many species go from being least concerned to becoming endangered or even extinct,” Bishop said.
Advice from Wildlife Experts
Bishop advised people to observe Australian wildlife from a distance without disturbing them. “Stay quiet and enjoy watching them,” she said. “You can take videos too, but you’ll get much better moments if you do it quietly. Baby wombats, in particular, are cheeky and fun to watch.”
