'Wombat snatcher' US influencer flees Australia after intense public backlash

Australian Community Media

A US "hunting influencer" tourist who removed a baby wombat from its mother, filmed the encounter, and posted it online has left the country after a massive public backlash. This video includes ACM-produced voiceover powered by AI.

Transcript

00:00I caught a baby wombat.

00:03Just caught a baby wombat.

00:06A US tourist who faced widespread backlash

00:09after sharing a video of herself stealing a baby wombat

00:12from its mum has left the country.

00:14Hunting influencer Sam Jones carried the distressed marsupial

00:18while a male Australian companion laughed and filmed.

00:21The news comes off the back of immigration authorities

00:24confirming they were checking if Jones had breached

00:26the conditions of her tourist visa

00:28while Immigration Minister Tony Burke said he

00:30couldn't wait to see the back of this individual.

00:32And the PM called the act an outrage.

00:36Wildlife experts also condemned the act

00:38warning that even brief separations can endanger baby wombats.

00:42My mum is right there and she is pissed.

00:44Let's let him go.

00:46Alright, let's let him go.

00:48Come here mama.

00:50Come here.

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