US influencer draws backlash for stealing baby wombat from mum
Albanese suggested that the woman, Sam Jones, tries doing so with animals that "can actually fight back": "Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there."
Ms Jones, who calls herself an "outdoor enthusiast and hunter", was filmed picking up the joey by the road and running across it to a car, while its mother ran after them.
The man filming can be heard laughing: "Look at the mother, it's chasing after her!" The video, which was filmed in Australia, has since been deleted.
Immigration officials are reviewing Ms Jones's visa, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told the BBC, following calls for her to be deported.
An online petition supporting Ms Jones's deportation has received 10,500 signatures so far.
"Given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I'll be surprised if she even bothers," Burke said in a statement.
Ms Jones's "appalling" behaviour could have caused severe harm to the wombats, conservationists say.
The Wombat Protection Society said it was shocked to see the "mishandling of a wombat joey in an apparent snatch for 'social media likes'".
"[She] then placed the vulnerable baby back onto a country road - potentially putting it at risk of becoming roadkill," it noted in its statement, adding that it remains unclear if the joey reunited with its mother.
"I caught a baby wombat," Ms Jones exclaimed in the video, while the joey could be heard hissing and struggling in her grip.
Her caption in the now-deleted post read: "My dream of holding a wombat has been realised! Baby and mom slowly waddled back off together into the bush."
"The baby was carefully held for one minute in total and then released back to mom," she wrote in the comments, responding to criticism.
"They wandered back off into the bush together completely unharmed. I don't ever capture wildlife that will be harmed by my doing so."
Following the backlash, Ms Jones, who has more than 92,000 followers on Instagram, made her account private. But several media outlets had already shared the video - as well as earlier posts, said to be taken in Australia, which show her holding an echidna and a "little shark".
Wombats, which are native to Australia, are a legally protected species across the country. Baby wombats share a strong bond with their mothers, and any separation can be distressing and harmful, conservationists say.
"Wombats are not a photo prop or plaything," said Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia, in a statement online.
"It's just unacceptable, and we're glad she's being called to account. Snatching a screaming baby wombat from their mother is not just appalling, it's very possibly illegal under state or national laws," Ms Milthrope said.
Some experts believe Ms Jones broke the law because Australia prohibits people from harming or taking native wildlife.
It is only allowed if the joey is in need of help because its mother has died, wildlife veterinarian Tania Bishop told ABC News.
Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong also weighed in on the "dreadful" video.
"I think everyone who would have seen that would have thought, leave the baby wombat alone. Leave it with its mum," she told 7News.
Additional reporting by Simon Atkinson
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eater
3 hours ago
- Eater
José Andrés: ‘D.C. Doesn't Need Federalized Troops'
National Guard troops officially reported for duty in the nation's capital today, here to carry out President Donald Trump's order to address what he calls a 'crime emergency' in D.C. The president's shocking move that federalizes the city's Metropolitan Police Department has one big-name celebrity chef up in arms. José Andrés candidly condemned the president's unprecedented decision to send in the Army's National Guard to the same city where he opened his first restaurant, Jaleo, over 30 years ago. 'I'm proud to run a business and raise a family here,' wrote Andrés, in a Monday night social media post that's since gained over 50,000 likes. 'D.C. doesn't need federalized troops…it needs leaders who respect our fundamental founding principles of democracy, dignity, and respect.' During his White House press conference on Monday morning, Trump claims D.C. has been 'taken over by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals' as well as 'drugged out maniacs and homeless people.' D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser bit back hours later, saying crime 'isn't just down from 2023 — it's also down from 2019, before the pandemic,' and violent crime itself is at a 30-year low. The restaurant industry stood in solidarity with Andrés and his statement on Instagram, with supportive comments flowing in from Delaware's fine dining spot One Coastal and California chef Emily Brubaker, the recently crowned winner of NBC's 'Yes, Chef!' cooking show he hosted with Martha Stewart. The global humanitarian and cookbook author, whose namesake hospitality group currently runs over 30 restaurants around the globe, has a storied history with the Trump administration that goes back a decade ago. After the then-presidential candidate made inflammatory remarks about immigrants, the Spanish American chef pulled his planned restaurant inside his Trump International Hotel. (The 263-room, clocktower-topped hotel along Pennsylvania Avenue NW later flipped into a Waldorf Astoria and welcomed his luxe Bazaar by José Andrés in 2023.) While other local chefs aren't saying much right now, at least one D.C. restaurant is openly endorsing the anti-Trump discourse. Miami-born Pikio Taco, the hip Mexican spot located in Dupont's Generator hotel, is hosting a last-minute comedy show on Thursday, August 14 to benefit 'two local organizations who are doing critical work' in the space: Free DC Project and Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network. Free DC hosted an informational Zoom meeting at 10 a.m. today to talk about its grassroots campaign. Over 600 participants were split into breakout groups to brainstorm ways to galvanize communities in each of their D.C. wards. One popular plan is to distribute Free DC marketing materials to restaurants and other businesses that they can display inside and out. During his White House briefing on Monday, Trump tried to justify the federal takeover by reciting a metaphor his real estate-developer dad used to say. 'When you walk into a restaurant and you see a dirty front door, don't go in — because if the front door is dirty, the kitchen's dirty also. Same thing with [D.C.]. If our capital's dirty, our whole country is dirty.' The 800 troops in town were told they will be deployed here for about six weeks, until Thursday, September 25. The timing could not be worse for D.C.'s restaurant scene, which already experiences a slump in sales this time of year when many of its residents go on vacation. The troops will very much be on the streets during RAMW's bi-annual restaurant week (August 18-24), when more than 350 restaurants across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia offer prix fixe deals to boost business. It remains unclear how the National Guard's presence will impact parking and customers' desire to dine out. Last night around dinnertime, hours before the National Guard arrived, streets appeared particularly sparse – even for a summer Monday night in D.C. Eater DC All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The Hill
5 hours ago
- The Hill
Ashley Biden files for divorce from husband of 13 years
Ashley Biden, the daughter of former President Biden and former first lady Jill Biden, filed for divorce on Monday from her husband, Dr. Howard Krein, after more than 13 years of marriage. Court documents show legal proceedings were filed against Krein in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Moments after filing, Ashley Biden posted, 'New life, new beginnings means new boundaries. New ways of being that won't look or sound like they did before,' on Instagram with the background song set to 'Freedom Time' by Lauryn Hill. Details regarding the divorce were not disclosed as filings did not include details of the complaint. Ashley reportedly met Krein through her deceased brother, Beau Biden, and the two started dating in 2010. Two years later, Ashley Biden and the 58-year-old plastic surgeon and ear, nose and throat doctor married at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church, in Greenville, Delaware, as reported by PEOPLE. Ashley recounted their nuptials at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and discussed her father's final words before the two tied the knot. 'Before he walked me down the aisle, he turned to me and said he would always be my best friend. All these years later, Dad, you are still my best friend,' Ashley said.
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Newsweek
Democrats' Chances of Defeating Burt Jones in Georgia Governor's Race
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump weighed in on the Georgia gubernatorial race this week, endorsing Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones over Attorney General Chris Carr in the Republican primary. A political science professor weighed in on the chances of the Democrats beating Jones. Newsweek reached out to the Jones and Carr campaigns for comment via email. Why It Matters Georgia has emerged as a new swing state in recent years, and Democrats are hoping to have their first gubernatorial victory in the state since 1999 in next year's midterms. Typically, the party in the White House loses seats in the midterms, but gubernatorial elections tend to be a bit less partisan than federal races. Georgia is set to be one of the most important states next year, as it will have both a competitive Senate and gubernatorial race. What to Know Trump backed Jones in the critical race, giving him a potential boost over Carr among the state's conservative GOP electorate. "He has been with us from the very beginning. I know his family well, and have seen Burt tested at the most difficult levels and times — He is a WARRIOR, a successful Businessman, former SEC Championship winning Georgia Bulldogs football player (Known for his toughness!), and now, as Lieutenant Governor, Burt has proven he has the Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of his wonderful State and Nation," Trump wrote on Truth Social. That endorsement could win him over some voters in the GOP primary, but some less-MAGA affiliated Republican voters in the suburban areas near Atlanta may not necessarily be swayed by Trump's support, Charles Bullock, professor of political science at the University of Georgia, told Newsweek on Tuesday. "Jones is certainly going to brag about, he is the Trump nominee. That's going to move the MAGA base, no doubt about that," he said. "But it's not the only kind of Republican you find in Georgia, especially in the primary, you're going to find the white, college-educated suburbanites who think of themselves generally as Republicans but are not MAGA." Georgia Lt. Governor Burt Jones speaks during an event in Savannah, Georgia on September 24, 2024. Georgia Lt. Governor Burt Jones speaks during an event in Savannah, Georgia on September 24, of the race has not been made public—only a straw poll of at least 1,200 Republican voters in June ahead of the June convention. Georgia's James Magazine reported that Jones had a "massive early lead" in the poll, but specific numbers were not reported. Jones, who had a business career before entering politics, may be able to carve out a financial advantage over both Democratic and Republican candidates, Bullock said. However, he is currently facing a lawsuit from Carr over a $10 million campaign loan. Democrats do "have a shot" at winning the election next November, Bullock said. The primary going to a runoff—which would happen if no candidate clears 50 percent—could benefit Democrats. That would "slow down" Republican efforts to unite after the primary, he said. There would be a greater risk of this if Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger joins the race. "Runoffs get nasty," he said. "Attack ads become more numerous and more personal. So if indeed there were a bitter runoff between Jones and Carr, Jones and Raffensperger—whoever—that might make it very difficult if Jones were the ultimate winner in the runoff to reunite the party." Jones is more MAGA-aligned, Bullock said, noting that Carr is a more traditional conservative and tied to Governor Brian Kemp, who has not made a formal endorsement. "A Jones nomination would have to overcome that division, and if it were reinforced by a bitter runoff, that would make it much harder for him," he said. Jeffrey Lewis Lazarus, professor of political science at Georgia State University, told Newsweek that Georgia is still a tough state for Democrats, despite recent victories. "Most Democratic victories here have occurred against extraordinarily flawed (Trump, Herschel Walker) or inexperienced (Kelly Loeffler) candidates," he said. "A seasoned and relatively scandal-free GOP nominee should be the favorite to win." Still, it is a "closely divided state," so nothing is guaranteed, he said. On the other hand, this is a closely divided state, and nothing is guaranteed. But the Republican nominee, whoever it is, probably has the inside track. What People Are Saying Charlie Bailey, chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, wrote in a statement: "Jones and Chris Carr have spent this entire primary trying to out-MAGA each other, and that won't change with Trump's endorsement. This GOP primary will continue to be a race to the right – and to the bottom – as Jones and Carr fight to prove who can be more in line with Trump's toxic agenda of Medicaid and Medicare cuts, sky-high costs, and billionaire tax handouts at the expense of hardworking Georgians." Jeffrey Lewis Lazarus told Newsweek: "I haven't seen any polling so this is educated guesswork, but in my opinion Jones is probably the favorite. The GOP is more or less Trump's party at this point - he still has 90% approval among self-identified Republicans - and whoever is seen as being in his camp can make a strong claim to being a 'true conservative' or 'real Republican.'" Burt Jones wrote in a post to X: "With President Trump's endorsement, we have the opportunity to take this campaign to the next level. Let's show America what real Georgia grit looks like." Democratic Governors Association spokesperson Kevin Donahue wrote in a statement: "For Burt Jones, fealty to extreme, partisan politics has always trumped doing what's right for Georgia — and that's why this endorsement shouldn't surprise anyone. Trump's support only further confirms what we already knew: Jones and the entire GOP field are running to bring DC Republicans' agenda of gutting health care and raising costs to Georgia." What Happens Next Georgia's primary is set for May 19, 2026. The Cook Political Report considers the race as a pure toss-up. However, Sabato's Crystal Ball classifies the race as Leans Republican.
