For the first time, the American influencer who was subjected to criticism for the video she uploaded in which she was seen removing a young wombat from its mother in Australia is now coming out.
On Friday, March 14, Sam Jones, who describes herself as a “wildlife biologist and environmental scientist” on her Instagram account, posted a lengthy statement on the social media app apologizing for the incident. In the statement, she claimed that she picked up the wombat so that the animal “didn’t get hit” while it was on the side of the road.
When we saw the mother and the child sitting still on the road, I was filled with a great deal of anxiety. Because wombats are often struck by vehicles on Australian highways, I made care to pull over and make sure they were able to get off the road without being hit,” Jones wrote.
In spite of the fact that I approached them, the joey did not move or flee in any way. Following that, she stated, “I was concerned that it might have been sick or injured, and I made a snap decision to pick up the joey and see if this was the case.” I raced away, not because I wanted to take the baby away from its mother, but because I was afraid that she might attack me.
This footage, which has since been erased, was caught by 10 News. At first, Jones is seen picking up a newborn wombat that is lying on the side of a road at night. He then takes the wombat with him and runs away as it is screaming for its mother. Following this, the mother wombat seems to be attempting to shield her young by running across the roadway.
As the cameraman approaches the mother, he exclaims, “Look at her, it’s chasing after her!” The next thing that Jones says is, “I caught a baby wombat!” She continues by saying, “OK, mama is right there, and she is angry, let’s let him go,” before crossing the street to release the infant.
Jones, who has since left Australia, said that her acts were “never from a place of harm or stealing a joey.” Jones has since departed Australia. She said that after “quickly” inspecting the wombat, she “immediately returned it to its mother,” and subsequent to that, the animals “went off together.”
“I have done a great deal of reflection on this situation, and I have come to the conclusion that I did not handle this situation as well as I should have,” she stated. “The only thing I wanted to do was make sure that these incredible creatures were not injured… I have gained perspective as a result of this experience, and I sincerely apologize for the sorrow that I have caused.
The video that Jones released on her Instagram account showing her scooping up the wombat “was never about social media or getting likes,” and she stressed that the footage “was not staged.”
During the second portion of her speech, Jones said that “thousands threaten my life” and criticized the government of Australia for allegedly “permit[ing] the slaughter of wombats” in their “thousands each year.” Jones’s declaration was a direct response to the allegations made by Jones. In addition to this, she criticized the manner in which Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded to her comments on the event.
I encourage you to take a good, hard look at what is presently being done in Australia about the genuine difficulties it confronts, the lack of electricity for tens of thousands of Australians, and the abuse of its native species,” she said. “While the prime minister wishes harm on me for picking up a wombat, I ask you to take a good, hard look at what is currently being done in Australia…”
“Then, decide for yourself if I, a person who certainly makes mistakes, am really your villain,” Jones summarized the conclusion of the conversation.
An official from the government verified that Jones had departed Australia willingly, according to a story that was published by the Associated Press on March 14th. The restrictions of the influencer’s visa are now being examined, according to the Associated Press, which was reported by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
A request for comment was sent to the Department of Home Affairs of Australia at the time, however the department did not immediately react to the request.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Prime Minister Albanese issued a statement that described the footage of Jones as a “outrage.” According to reports, he continued by saying, “Take a baby crocodile away from its mother and see how you get there.” “Take another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother.”
When it comes to animal cruelty violations in Australia, individuals might face penalties of up to $235,600 AUD ($149,000 USD), while businesses could face fines of up to $250,000 AUD ($158,000 USD), and they could also face prison sentence of up to seven years.