Sam Jones, also known as Samantha Strable is a US influencer and acclaimed wildlife biologist and environmental scientist who sparked outrage after having snatched a baby wombat from its distressed mother and posting the video on social media, has left Australia.
The incident, which occurred on the side of a road, showed Jones laughing as she briefly held the hissing wombat before returning it to the bush. The video sparked immediate condemnation across Australia, with many accusing Jones of cruelty and disrespect for native wildlife.
Sam Jones, also known as Samantha Strable, defended her actions in deleted comments, claiming she held the baby wombat for only a minute and released it unharmed, insisting she would never harm wildlife. However, her Instagram account went private, and her TikTok account was reportedly banned.
A new TikTok account allegedly belonging to Jones posted a statement saying the “hate is too much” and claimed she received “hundreds” of death threats, urging respect. Critics remained critical, with one comparing her actions to snatching a human child.
Wildlife experts and conservationists condemned her behavior as a “blatant disregard” for native animals.
The Wombat Protection Society criticized the “mishandling of a wombat joey for social media likes,” while Suzanne Milthorpe of World Animal Protection Australia called the video “unacceptable,” highlighting the distress caused to the baby wombat. Wombats, a protected species in Australia, share a strong bond with their mothers, and any separation can be harmful. Experts emphasized the need to prioritize animal welfare over social media attention.
This incident prompted Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, to announce that his department was considering revoking her visa. In a brief statement on Friday, Burke celebrated her departure, quipping, “There has never been a better time to be a baby wombat.
However, it has since been confirmed that Jones departed the country voluntarily. Burke reviewed her visa conditions, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the act an “outrage”. Albanese sarcastically suggested Jones “try a crocodile” instead. The Department of Home Affairs has not yet commented on the situation.
