Second animal video emerges of US influencer Sam Jones after Anthony Albanese rips her over wombat stunt
Footage appearing to show the controversial influencer with an echidna has now come to light as the conditions of Ms Jones’ visa are being investigated.
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A second video has emerged appearing to show US influencer Sam Jones, who was caught on camera snatching a baby wombat away from its mother, handling another live Australian animal.
The video was shared on social media last month and appears to show Ms Jones stroking an echidna’s spiny back and touching its paw before placing it back in the dirt.
“What kind of crazy creature is this?” she can be heard saying, “Well, it’s an echidna, one of only two egg-laying mammal species in the world.”
It is unclear where the footage was filmed. A wire fence can be seen in the background, but not one that would contain an animal as small as an echidna.
It comes after Anthony Albanese ripped into the controversial influencer, challenging her to “take another animal that can actually fight back”.
In an astonishing rebuke on Thursday, Mr Albanese took aim at the Montana-based woman for her actions.
“I suggest to this so-called influencer maybe she might try some other Australian animals,” he said.
“Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there.
“Take another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother. See how you go there.”
Ms Jones sparked fury across the nation after being filmed chasing a baby wombat to the side of a road at night before picking it up and posing for a photo.
Some online communities have called for Ms Jones to be deported for her behaviour.
Immigration Minister Tony Burke earlier confirmed his department was working through the conditions of Ms Jones’ current visa to determine whether immigration laws had been breached.
“Either way, given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I’ll be surprised if she even bothers,” he said on Thursday.
“I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual. I don’t expect she will return.”
In the video, posted to Ms Jones’ Instagram account, she can be seen scooping up the baby as its distressed mother gives chase.
An Australian man is heard laughing in the background.
Ms Jones then holds the baby wombat up as it makes screeching noises.
“Okay, Mamma is right there and she is pi**ed,” Ms Jones says, before returning the baby to the side of the road.
The location of the since-deleted video is not clear.
The Wombat Protection Society of Australia has decried Ms Jones’ actions.
“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 charity group said on Thursday.
“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.”
Originally published as Second animal video emerges of US influencer Sam Jones after Anthony Albanese rips her over wombat stunt
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