An American influencer could face deportation from Australia after she was filmed taking a baby wombat from its mother.
Video footage, shared widely on social media, shows influencer Sam Jones running with a baby wombat towards her car while its distressed mother chases after her.
It is unclear where the incident took place, but it appears to have been at night on a countryside road in southeastern Australia.
In the video, a man sitting in a vehicle can be heard saying “just caught a baby wombat”, apparently referring to Jones. He then laughs before adding “look at the mother - it’s chasing after her.”
The video has reportedly been deleted from an Instagram account which has now apparently been made private.
Experts have determined that the animal was a common wombat, a species that is not endangered but is still protected under Australian law.
Now, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has said the department is examining Jones’ visa to determine whether she has breached any conditions of her stay.
“I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual, I don’t expect she will return,” he told CNN.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was an “outrage” for Jones to take a baby wombat from its mother.
“I suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals. Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there,” he said.
CNN attempted to contact Jones but has not yet received a response.
