‘See how you go’: Anthony Albanese rips into US influencer Sam Jones over shock wombat video stunt

The Prime Minister has torn shreds off a US influencer’s attention-seeking antic, after she sparked outrage by snatching a baby wombat.

Anthony Albanese has ripped into a controversial attention-seeking US influencer caught on film snatching a baby wombat, challenging her to “take another animal that can actually fight back”.

The Prime Minister’s astonishing rebuke of Sam Jones, an American hunting enthusiast who has drawn the ire of outraged Australians after the callous act on camera, comes amid confirmation immigration officials were reviewing the conditions of her visa to determine if any laws have been breached.

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.

US influencer Sam Jones sparked outrage after snatching a baby wombat from its mother. The Instagram clip of the interaction has since been deleted. Picture: Instagram/SamJones

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has slammed Ms Jones, challenging her to try the same action with a baby crocodile and ‘see how you go there’. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

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,” Mr Albanese 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.”

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.”

Immigration Minister Tony Burke confirmed his department was reviewing Sam Jones’ visa. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

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.

US influencer Sam Jones with the baby wombat. Picture: Instagram

“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 ‘See how you go’: Anthony Albanese rips into US influencer Sam Jones over shock wombat video stunt