Wildlife experts have called for stronger social media regulations after an American influencer shared footage of herself holding a wild baby wombat.
Sam Jones posted a now deleted Instagram reel of her snatching the joey from the side of an unidentified road and carrying it to a car.
Dr Meg Shaw, research fellow at Monash University’s BehaviourWorks Australia, said this incident highlights the broader issue of posts on platforms like Instagram and TikTok normalising harmful interactions with wildlife.
“Approaching animals in their habitats disrupts their health, welfare and breeding, and can also endanger humans,” she said.
“Content showing humans and wildlife interacting has also been linked to increased demand for the illegal pet trade and unethical tourism, both major threats to endangered species that are not widely understood.”
Shaw said research has shown that photos of humans and wildlife together receive no more social media engagement than pictures of animals alone, but can have wide-ranging and disastrous impacts for wildlife.
“Animals that are approached in the wild experience increased stress, reduced feeding, and even reduced breeding success, which can all contribute to species extinction,” she said.
“Stronger social media regulations are needed, but everyone can play their part by avoiding posting selfies and directly interacting with wildlife.
“You can get just as many likes by taking a photo from a safe distance, and by observing an animal uninterrupted in its natural habitat; you’re likely to get even better content.”
The Wombat Protection Society of Australia described the video as “appalling”.
“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 conservation group said.
“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.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took aim at Jones at a press conference in Perth.
“To take a baby wombat from its mother, clearly causing distress from the mother, is just an outrage,” he said.
“I suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals.
“Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there.”
Wombats are protected under various state and national laws.
Jones’ visa is currently under review, with immigration officials considering whether any laws have been breached.
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