Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Reports on the now-deleted video say influencer Sam Jones picked up a baby wombat while its mother followed or chased her, then set the joey down, where it walked into scrub. Jones said she acted because she was concerned about traffic and the joey’s condition, but the footage did not establish whether the animals later reunited.
“Steals” is the headline’s and critics’ characterization, not a legal finding. The available reporting describes a temporary separation; it does not establish permanent removal, lasting injury, or what happened to the animals afterward.
What happened in the wombat video?
ABC and SBS reported that the clip showed Jones lifting a joey from an unidentified roadside at night while its mother followed or chased her. The joey squirmed and screeched as Jones carried it toward the camera. Jones then put it down, and the footage showed it walking into scrub. The original Instagram post was later deleted.
The encounter’s exact location and date were not established in the reporting reviewed. The footage did not show whether the mother and joey reunited. WIRES veterinarian Dr Tania Bishop told ABC she hoped they had reunited, but said that was not known.
#1 Best Overall
ABC’s report on Jones’s apology and the response describes the incident and the limits of what was known.
What did Sam Jones say?
In an apology posted on March 15, 2025, Jones said she stopped because the mother and joey were on a road and she was worried about traffic. She said she thought the joey might be sick or injured, ran because she feared the mother might attack, and described her action as a snap judgment. She apologized for the distress caused and said she had learned from the situation.
That is Jones’s account, not independent confirmation that the joey was injured or in immediate danger. The footage does not establish that intervention was necessary.
Why did wildlife experts criticize the handling?
WIRES veterinarian Dr Tania Bishop and RSPCA Australia senior scientific officer Di Evans criticized the separation and handling. Evans described the joey as screeching for its mother and the mother as anxious. These are attributed welfare assessments; they do not establish lasting physical harm.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #3
World Animal Protection Australia also said wild animals should not be treated as photo props or playthings and should be admired from a distance. The experts’ concerns focused on disturbing and separating wildlife, not on a confirmed diagnosis of injury to either wombat.
What is known about the official response?
In March 2025, the Australian Home Affairs Minister’s office confirmed that Jones had left Australia voluntarily after officials said her visa conditions were being reviewed. ABC reported that she was not deported and left on her own accord. The sources reviewed do not establish a final visa decision.
ABC reported on March 15 that it had not received reports of charges over the video. The location was not identified in the reporting reviewed, so the applicable jurisdiction is unclear. Experts raised legal and permit concerns, but the available sources do not establish a legal finding that Jones broke a particular law.
What should I do if I see a wild animal near a road?
- Keep your distance. Do not chase, corner, pick up, or feed a wild animal, especially if an adult animal is nearby.
- Observe without handling. Being small, quiet, or alone does not by itself establish that a young animal is orphaned or needs rescue.
- Contact an authorized wildlife rescuer, veterinarian, or local wildlife authority. Share the location and what you observed, and follow professional instructions.
- Do not approach for a photo or video. Keep yourself and other bystanders safe, particularly near traffic.
The practical lesson is to leave wildlife handling to qualified responders. A young animal being visible or approachable does not, by itself, mean it needs to be removed.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallBest Value
FAQ
Was the baby wombat reunited with its mother?
The available footage and reporting do not confirm whether the joey and its mother reunited. The clip showed the joey walking into scrub after Jones set it down, but what happened afterward is unknown.
What does the video show?
Reports say Jones picked up a joey while its mother followed or chased her, carried it toward the camera, and then set it down. The joey was shown walking into scrub. The original post was later deleted.
Why did Sam Jones pick up the joey?
Jones said she was concerned that the animals were on a road and that the joey might be sick or injured. That explanation has not been independently verified by the footage.
Was Sam Jones deported or charged over the video?
ABC reported that Jones left Australia voluntarily and was not deported. It also said it had not received reports of charges over the video. The sources reviewed do not establish a later final visa decision or prosecution.
Is it illegal to pick up a wombat?
The location of the incident was not identified in the reporting reviewed, and the sources do not establish which jurisdiction’s law applied. Wildlife experts raised legal and permit concerns, but no reviewed source establishes a legal finding about Jones.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
