An American influencer who uploaded a video of himself holding a baby wombat drew heavy criticism, and has now left Australia.
Sam Jones, who calls himself an "outdoor enthusiast and hunter," posted a video to his Instagram92,000 followers. In the video, he shows him picking up the baby wombat from the side of the road as it struggles and snorts, and its mother wombat panicking and following. Jones then puts the wombat down.
Wombats are a type of marsupial found only in Australia and are protected by law.
According to a source who did not wish to be identified, Jones left the country on Friday, a day after the interior ministry said it was looking into whether Jones had violated his visa conditions.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said, "Today is the best day to be a baby wombat in Australia." There is no indication that Jones has been deported.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also spoke, saying, "To take a baby wombat from its mother and see it stressed is infuriating." He added, "Maybe this influencer should try taking a baby crocodile from its mother and see what happens."
Jones has yet to issue a statement. His Instagram profileis now private.
