US tourist who took baby wombat in Australia could have visa canceled, official says

An American tourist caught on video taking a baby wombat in Australia may have her visa canceled. 

Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told CNN that the agency was evaluating Sam Jones’s visa to determine if she violated any conditions of her stay in the country, and implied that the woman may not be welcomed back to Australia.

Who is Sam Jones?

What we know:

Sam Jones, a social media influencer, who describes herself on Instagram as an outdoor enthusiast, hunter and a wildlife biologist and environmental scientist.

Jones, who has 92,000 Instagram followers, was captured in a video that apparently shows her running with a baby wombat to a car while the animal’s mother chases after her.

The video clip was deleted from Jones’ account, but it was circulated on social media, garnering reaction from users online and the Australian government. 

What we don't know:

The video, which was reportedly deleted from an Instagram account, does not clearly show the location of the incident, or when it may have been filmed.

What does the video show?

Dig deeper:

The video shows Sam Jones picking up the baby wombat in her arms and running with the animal.  According to Newsweek, an individual filming the video is heard laughing, and says: "Look at the mother, oh it's chasing after her."

Jones is seen in one part of the footage with the baby wombat wriggling in her arms. "I got the baby wombat," she says, before adding, "Okay momma’s right there and she is pissed. Let's let him go."

The Instagram influencer discussed the incident in the comments, writing "For everyone that's worried and unhappy, the baby was carefully held for ONE minute in total and then release back to mum. They wandered back off into the bush together completely unharmed," Jones later set her social media account to private, Newsweek reported, citing news.com.au. 

Will Sam Jones face charges?

Big picture view:

Sam Jones has not been charged and Newsweek noted that it’s unknown if local authorities will take further action against the social media influencer is she’s still in Australia. 

Citing the Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES), Newsweek reported that taking wildlife from its natural habitat is illegal under Australian law.

Moreover, penalties for animal cruelty offenses can vary in different Australian states, for individuals, in addition to possible jail time of up to seven years.

Australia’s Wombat Protection Society responds

The other side:

Australia's Wombat Protection Society released a statement on its Facebook page in response to Sam Jones’ actions saying  that she "mishandled a wombat joey" in an "apparent snatch for social media likes."

"Our response to the appalling video of a woman snatching a wombat joey."

"We are expressing shock and concern over the actions of a tourist who mishandled a wombat joey in an apparent snatch for "social media likes". The individual, who appeared to have no understanding of wombat behaviour or the severe stress caused by human interference and separation from its mother, She then placed the vulnerable baby back onto a country road—potentially putting it at risk of becoming roadkill."

"There is no clear evidence that the joey was successfully reunited with its mother. A baby of this size is highly dependent on its mother, and prolonged separation could have fatal consequences. Additionally, without proper training in wildlife handling, the tourist not only risked injuring the joey but also putting herself in danger."