The U.S. influencer who sparked backlash in Australia after picking up a baby wombat and carrying it away from its mother has broken her silence, saying she’s “truly sorry” for the distress she caused, but in addition urging Australians to take an extended, hard take a look at how animals are treated of their country.
Sam Jones, whose real name is Samantha Strable, sparked outrage last week when footage of her grabbing a joey from the side of the road went viral, with politicians, animal welfare employees and the general public all calling for her to face consequences for snatching the child animal and sharing the video to social media.
In a video that has since been deleted, U.S. influencer Sam Jones may be seen snatching a baby wombat away from its mother and carrying it around.
@samstrays_somewhere / Instagram
While she made her Instagram account private within the messy aftermath, it’s now set back to public and he or she’s issued two fiery statements to the account — one apologizing for her actions, and the second directing people’s attention to the Australian government’s “hypocrisy.”
In the primary post, Jones said she was being unfairly vilified for her actions, insisting she was attempting to help the joey.
“The snap judgement I made in these moments was never from a place of harm or stealing a joey,” she wrote, claiming she was checking on the child and its mom because they “weren’t moving” and he or she feared they could be injured or sick.
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“I ran, not to tear the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me.”
She said she’s “done an incredible deal of reflection” within the aftermath and realized she “didn’t handle the situation as best as I must have.”
“I actually have learned from this example, and am truly sorry for the distress I actually have caused.”
The second part of her statement overshadowed the apology, as she went on to attack the Australian government, claiming it spends “tens of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars annually to fly around in helicopters and shoot beautiful horses, deer, and pigs out its windows.”
She also pointed to government-sanctioned culling of kangaroos, wombats and other native animals.
“While the prime minister wishes harm on me for selecting up a wombat, I implore you to take a great, hard take a look at what’s currently being done in Australia,” she fired back.
Her comments got here shortly after Tony Burke, Australia’s immigration minister, announced Jones had fled the country as her visa was being reviewed.
“There’s never been a greater day to be a baby wombat in Australia,” Burke told reporters Friday.
The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said Jones’ actions were “an outrage” and suggested she should attempt to “take a baby crocodile from its mother and see the way you go there.”
On Sunday, Jones was scheduled to face questions on Australia’s Channel 10 current affairs talk show, but backed out on the last minute, as a substitute sending a video to The Project host Hamish Macdonald that reiterated the points made in her Instagram apology and defence.
“We were all here early this afternoon to do an interview together with her and ask her questions,” Macdonald said.
“She pulled out of that and as a substitute provided a video statement.
“I feel, frankly, it’s pathetic, given what’s happened. Obviously, nobody condones violence or threats of violence which have been thrown her way…
“But truthfully to say you’re genuinely sorry but not be willing to elucidate yourself after which point the finger on the Australian government is pretty lousy.”
In accordance with news.com.au, an Australian news site, wombats are a protected species but permits to cull the animals may be obtained in some states.
The positioning reports that different culling regulations “have sparked debate and split public opinion.”
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