Influencer sparks massive backlash over controversial wildlife video
- Replies 2
In the age of social media, where every moment is an opportunity for content creation, the line between appreciating and exploiting wildlife can become dangerously blurred.
This was highlighted in a recent incident involving a US influencer, whose actions have sparked a wave of indignation and calls for accountability.
Operating under the social media handle @Samstrays_somewhere and claiming to be a 'wildlife biologist and environmental scientist,' she found herself at the centre of controversy after posting a video that many have deemed irresponsible and harmful.
The now-deleted video captured Sam Jones picking up the joey and running down a road while a man's voice can be heard laughing and remarking on the mother wombat's pursuit.
Holding the visibly distressed animal, Jones triumphantly declared, 'I caught a baby wombat. Mumma's right there; she is p*****. Let's let him go before the marsupial is released back onto the road.
The dream of holding a wombat, as Jones described it in her video caption, quickly turned into a nightmare for wildlife advocates and concerned citizens alike.
Yolandi Vermaak, a licensed wombat rescuer, expressed her dismay, noting that the joey was 'screaming in absolute terror and distress.'
'When I woke up this morning, my inbox exploded. My heart sank as that can only mean something bad happened. And it has,' she recounted.
'I want to make something extremely clear to those who don’t know—nine out of 10 instances when something like this happens, and mum is scared, she will bolt and run. And baby will be separated from mum.'
''It is very unusual for her to have followed this woman. And when a baby wombat is separated from its mum, it will follow anything it sees to find safety, and that includes you. They don’t always find each other.'
The situation was exacerbated by the fact that both the mother and baby wombat showed signs of mange, a severe skin infection that can be fatal if left untreated.
Vermaak criticised Jones for not reporting this so that the animals could receive prompt medical attention.
WIRES Wildlife, an Australian wildlife rescue organization, and Dr Tania Bishop, a WIRES vet, emphasised that wombats are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
They should not be interfered with unless it's an emergency. Dr Bishop was particularly concerned about the potential injury to the joey, given that it was held in a manner that left its lower half unsupported.
The incident has raised questions about the ethics of wildlife interaction and the responsibilities of influencers in portraying respectful and informed behaviour towards animals.
World Animal Protection Australia and other wildlife advocates have urged the Australian Government to investigate the matter, stressing that wombats are not photo props or playthings.
While the Department of Home Affairs does not comment on individual cases, it did clarify that visa cancellation considerations arise if a visa holder breaches visa conditions, including being charged with a criminal offence or posing a risk to the Australian community.
In her defence, Jones claimed that the baby wombat was 'carefully held for one minute' and that both animals returned to the bush unharmed.
She insisted that she never captured wildlife that her actions would harm and that she took the opportunity to appreciate an incredible animal up close.
However, the backlash Jones has faced serves as a stark reminder that wildlife should be observed and appreciated in their natural habitat without interference.
As seniors who have witnessed the evolution of environmental consciousness, we understand the importance of respecting nature and its inhabitants.
It's crucial to remember that our actions have consequences, and when it comes to wildlife, it's often best to admire from a distance.
Have you ever witnessed similar behaviour towards wildlife? How do you think influencers should balance their desire for content with the well-being of animals? Let's have a conversation about the respect and care our natural world deserves.
This was highlighted in a recent incident involving a US influencer, whose actions have sparked a wave of indignation and calls for accountability.
Operating under the social media handle @Samstrays_somewhere and claiming to be a 'wildlife biologist and environmental scientist,' she found herself at the centre of controversy after posting a video that many have deemed irresponsible and harmful.
The now-deleted video captured Sam Jones picking up the joey and running down a road while a man's voice can be heard laughing and remarking on the mother wombat's pursuit.
Holding the visibly distressed animal, Jones triumphantly declared, 'I caught a baby wombat. Mumma's right there; she is p*****. Let's let him go before the marsupial is released back onto the road.
The dream of holding a wombat, as Jones described it in her video caption, quickly turned into a nightmare for wildlife advocates and concerned citizens alike.
US tourist criticised for removing baby wombat from mother for photo. Credit: Instagram
Yolandi Vermaak, a licensed wombat rescuer, expressed her dismay, noting that the joey was 'screaming in absolute terror and distress.'
'When I woke up this morning, my inbox exploded. My heart sank as that can only mean something bad happened. And it has,' she recounted.
'I want to make something extremely clear to those who don’t know—nine out of 10 instances when something like this happens, and mum is scared, she will bolt and run. And baby will be separated from mum.'
''It is very unusual for her to have followed this woman. And when a baby wombat is separated from its mum, it will follow anything it sees to find safety, and that includes you. They don’t always find each other.'
The situation was exacerbated by the fact that both the mother and baby wombat showed signs of mange, a severe skin infection that can be fatal if left untreated.
Vermaak criticised Jones for not reporting this so that the animals could receive prompt medical attention.
WIRES Wildlife, an Australian wildlife rescue organization, and Dr Tania Bishop, a WIRES vet, emphasised that wombats are protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
They should not be interfered with unless it's an emergency. Dr Bishop was particularly concerned about the potential injury to the joey, given that it was held in a manner that left its lower half unsupported.
The incident has raised questions about the ethics of wildlife interaction and the responsibilities of influencers in portraying respectful and informed behaviour towards animals.
World Animal Protection Australia and other wildlife advocates have urged the Australian Government to investigate the matter, stressing that wombats are not photo props or playthings.
While the Department of Home Affairs does not comment on individual cases, it did clarify that visa cancellation considerations arise if a visa holder breaches visa conditions, including being charged with a criminal offence or posing a risk to the Australian community.
In her defence, Jones claimed that the baby wombat was 'carefully held for one minute' and that both animals returned to the bush unharmed.
She insisted that she never captured wildlife that her actions would harm and that she took the opportunity to appreciate an incredible animal up close.
However, the backlash Jones has faced serves as a stark reminder that wildlife should be observed and appreciated in their natural habitat without interference.
As seniors who have witnessed the evolution of environmental consciousness, we understand the importance of respecting nature and its inhabitants.
It's crucial to remember that our actions have consequences, and when it comes to wildlife, it's often best to admire from a distance.
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