Visa Of Hunting Influencer Who Picked Up Wombat Reportedly Under Review

A viral video has ignited widespread backlash after an influencer was seen picking up and taking a baby wombat away from its mother, with the woman’s visa now reportedly on the line. 

The woman in the video has been identified as Sam Jones, a hunting influencer and biologist with a previous significant social media following. Jones initially shared the video with her 90,000 Instagram followers, but after intense complaints, she removed the posts and made her account private.

The video depicts Jones gleefully holding the young wombat while a man in the background is heard laughing and saying, “Just caught a baby wombat.”

The video’s mood shifted when the distressed animal started growling for its mother. Once Jones noticed the mother approaching, she placed the baby down, allowing it to hobble back into the bush. The location of where this incident took place remains unknown.

Wildlife experts have criticised her actions, labelling them illegal and harmful to the native Australian species.

On Thursday afternoon, Home Affairs minister Tony Burke issued a statement, and is reportedly considering the implications the woman’s actions have had on her visa.

“The department is now working through the conditions on her visa and determining whether immigration law has been breached,” the statement said.

“Either way, given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I’ll be surprised if she even bothers.

“I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual. I don’t expect she will return.”

Wombat mishandling raises legal and ethical concerns

Dr Tanya Bishop, a wildlife veterinarian with WIRES—Australia’s largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation charity—spoke out against Jones’ behaviour. She disclosed that her organisation has been flooded with public complaints regarding the incident. Bishop explained that the way Jones handled the wombat could have caused serious harm.

“Most of their weight is in the back end of the body, so improper handling can lead to injury,” she stated. 

Australia has strict wildlife protection laws under the Environmental Biosecurity Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, making it illegal to take or handle native wildlife without proper authorisation. 

Before making her Instagram account private, Jones had shared other animal content, including videos of her handling wild animals and showcasing hunted prey. This latest incident has sparked renewed debates about ethical hunting practices and the responsibilities of influencers with large platforms.

Wildlife advocates continue to call for stronger enforcement of Australia’s conservation laws to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.