A US influencer has sparked outrage after a viral video showed her removing a baby wombat from its mother in Australia. The video, now deleted, led to criticism from conservationists, government officials, and the Australian public. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the act, sarcastically suggesting the influencer try removing a baby crocodile instead. The Australian government is reviewing her visa, with an online petition calling for her deportation gaining over 10,500 signatures.
Wildlife experts warned that separating a joey from its mother causes severe distress and could be illegal under Australian wildlife protection laws. The Wombat Protection Society labeled the act as reckless, stating that the joey was mishandled for social media attention. Critics pointed out that Jones, who has over 92,000 Instagram followers, has previously shared content with Australian wildlife, including an echidna and a small shark.
Despite Jones defending her actions, claiming the wombat was unharmed and reunited with its mother, backlash has intensified. She has since made her social media accounts private. Conservationists emphasize that wombats are legally protected, and handling them without authorization can be harmful and unlawful. The incident has reignited discussions on ethical wildlife interactions, the impact of social media on animal welfare, and the need for stricter regulations on engaging with native species.