US Influencer Apologizes After Controversial Baby Wombat Incident in Australia | Global News

The American influencer who took a baby wombat from its distressed mother has claimed that “thousands have threatened” her life, stating she is “truly sorry” in a post on Instagram.

Sam Jones, identifying herself as an “outdoor enthusiast and hunter,” shared a detailed statement on social media where she expressed being “extremely concerned” for the wombat’s health, which led her to flee from the joey’s mother out of fear of an attack.

She mentioned that she “immediately” returned the baby wombat to its mother.

“I’ve done a lot of reflecting on this situation and I realize that I did not handle it as well as I should have. I have learned from this incident, and I am truly sorry for the distress I’ve caused.”

In a now-deleted video shared with her 92,000 followers on Instagram, Jones said: “I caught a baby wombat,” while a man filming her laughed in the background.

The video showed the wombat struggling and hissing, with its mother following anxiously on the road behind.

Jones returned the baby wombat to the roadside after a few moments.

She fled the country on Friday after the Australian government announced it was reviewing her visa.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the influencer, who drew widespread backlash across the nation, remarking: “To take a baby wombat from its mother, clearly causing distress to the mother, is just outrageous.”

“I suggest this so-called influencer try interacting with some other Australian animals. Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how that works out,” he added. “Pick an animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother – let’s see how that goes.”

Read more on Sky News:
Tesla warns of ‘disproportionate’ tariff impact
UK economy unexpectedly shrank in January
Sky News flies over the world’s biggest iceberg

The country’s Interior Minister Tony Burke stated on Thursday that his department is assessing the conditions of the American’s visa and whether she may have violated immigration laws.

The baby wombat is a protected species of marsupial native to Australia.

“Given the level of scrutiny she’ll face if she ever applies for a visa again, I’d be surprised if she even attempts it,” Mr. Burke commented. “I can’t wait for Australia to see the last of this individual. I don’t expect she will return.”