US content creator who received backlash for animal cruelty leaves Australia
Australia is reviewing the visa status of an American content creator who posted a video of herself taking a baby wombat away from its mother.
An American influencer left Australia on Friday after the government announced it was reviewing her visa over a video she posted of her snatching a baby wombat from its mother.
Sam Jones, who describes herself as an “outdoor enthusiast & hunter,” made her Instagram account private Thursday after she was widely condemned for the video.
“There’s never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement after a government official confirmed Jones had flown from the country voluntarily.
In the now-deleted video, Sam Jones is seen picking up the marsupial and running across a road as its mother follows from behind.
“I caught a baby wombat,” Jones, who describes herself as an “outdoor enthusiast” and “hunter” on social media, is heard saying in the video.
“OK, momma’s right there and she is pissed, let’s let him go,” Jones then says, before putting the animal back on the other side of the road.
It is not clear when or where the video was shot.
Burke had said earlier Friday the conditions of Sam's visa were being reviewed to determine whether immigration law had been breached.
“I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual, I don’t expect she will return,” he said in the statement received by The Associated Press.
The video prompted a swift backlash in Australia, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong among those joining the condemnation.
“They’re not kangaroos. They don’t run fast. They are gentle, lovely creatures,” Albanese told reporters.