An American social media influencer identified as Sam Jones is facing heavy criticism after a video of her went viral on social media. The video showed Jones taking a baby wombat away from its mother while filming the video. The mother wombat was seen chasing her while she took away its baby in the footage. Her actions have sparked outrage, with many calling it cruel and irresponsible. Even Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reacted strongly, mocking the influencer’s actions.
The video showed that Sam Jones got down from her car at night at a location undisclosed in Australia. She then crosses the road and finds a baby wombat on the side of the road. She picks the baby wombat and starts running towards the car. The mother wombat is seen in the video chasing her as she ran away with its baby. The mother wombat is seen in the video waiting near the door of her car and crying in distress as long as she held its baby in her hands.
SCUMBAG OF THE DAY
— PROTECT ALL WILDLIFE (@Protect_Wldlife) March 12, 2025
Sam Jones is a US hunting influencer who has gone viral for posting a tiktok of her taking a baby wombat away from its mother in the middle of the night as a joke...for a bit of fun.
Please Sign The Petition at https://t.co/TJGIq2orzj via @UKChange. pic.twitter.com/aZNVd5gt5Q
Jones then left the baby after sometime. The mother and the baby then went into the forest. Sam Jone's act of distancing a baby from its mother is cruel and action must be taken against her for her inhumane act.
Criticising the influencer, Australian Prime Minister challenged her to try the same act with other animals who can fight back. He said, "Try taking a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there," he said, pointing out that some animals would not tolerate her cruel act.
Following the public backlash, there have been calls for Jones to be deported back to the US. Australian authorities are now reviewing her visa status and action is expected soon against her. Jones, who has around 92,000 Instagram followers and she was visiting Australia as a tourist when she recorded the video.