Rita Panahi: A message to influencer Sam Jones — leave our wildlife alone, and don’t come back
A word of advice for influencer Sam Jones who manhandled a baby wombat: leave our wildlife alone and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Opinion
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I have one word of advice for social media influencer Sam Jones; leave.
Leave our wildlife alone. And, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
The footage of Jones manhandling a baby wombat has enraged many Australians with some demanding that she be deported from the country.
News that Jones’ visa was being reviewed by immigration officials prompted her to leave Australia on Friday.
In the clip filmed by a companion Jones is seen taking the joey and dangling it in front of her like it’s a toy teddy bear while the animal’s distressed mother follows her.
She runs towards the camera with the animal held in front of her before putting it down near its mother.
The only thing that could be said in her favour is that there was no malice in her actions. She wasn’t some sociopath getting a thrill from terrifying a helpless animal but her actions were nevertheless cruel and obtuse.
And, no doubt she did it to provide content for her social media accounts.
Somehow she didn’t realise that Australians would be unimpressed with a tourist, indeed anyone, harassing our wildlife, particularly a joey wombat.
Originally published as Rita Panahi: A message to influencer Sam Jones — leave our wildlife alone, and don’t come back
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