US Influencer Faces Australian Visa Review Over Wombat Incident

Sam Jones is under scrutiny after a viral video showed her removing a baby wombat from its distressed mother, prompting backlash and legal concerns.

Sam Jones, a US influencer and self-described wildlife biologist, posted a now-deleted video showing her briefly taking a baby wombat from its mother on an Australian roadside.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs is reviewing whether Jones violated visa conditions or wildlife protection laws, which prohibit handling native animals without cause.
Wildlife experts and organizations criticized the act as harmful and potentially illegal, citing distress caused to both the joey and its mother as well as possible physical injuries to the animal.
Public outrage has led to calls for Jones' deportation and a petition with over 13,000 signatures demanding her removal from Australia.
Australian officials, including Immigration Minister Tony Burke, have indicated Jones is unlikely to return to the country, while her social media accounts have been made private following the backlash.