A US influencer has sparked outrage among Australian animal advocacy groups after posting a video of herself handling a baby wombat.
Sam Jones, a hunting enthusiast from Montana, was filmed taking a baby wombat from its mother’s side for a photo opportunity, causing distress to both the joey and its mother.
The Incident
The footage, which has since been deleted from Instagram, shows Jones picking up the small joey wombat and running to a car, while the mother wombat appears to become distressed.
The incident has left many questioning the influencer’s actions and the potential harm caused to the animals.
View this post on Instagram
According to Dr. Tania Bishop, a vet from the Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES), the handling of the joey was “absolutely appalling” and could have caused physical and psychological damage to both the mother and the baby wombat.
Expert Reactions
Dr. Bishop expressed concern about the potential harm caused to the joey, including tendon, ligament, muscle, and nerve damage. She also highlighted the psychological distress caused to both the mother and the joey, stating that the joey was in “extreme distress” and displayed hissing and calling back to its mother.
A spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) also slammed the footage, stating that Australian animals are not “props” to use for social media.
Jason Baker, senior vice president of PETA, said, “Leave animals alone. They are not props for Instagram.”
Animal Welfare Concerns
The incident has raised concerns about animal welfare and the importance of respecting native wildlife.
A spokesperson for RSPCA Australia stated that Australian native animals should never be handled by people in the wild, as it can cause distress and harm.
Dr. Di Evans, Senior Scientific Officer at RSPCA, said, “Removing a joey from their mother is extremely distressing and any separation is harmful.” The incident serves as a reminder that human actions can terrify and even harm animals.
The Law
Australian native animals are protected under both state and Commonwealth legislation. While the exact location of the incident is unknown, it is illegal to take, catch, or harm native animals in some states, including the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales, and Tasmania. However, no charges have been laid in relation to this incident.
Conclusion
The incident has sparked outrage and raised concerns about animal welfare and the importance of respecting native wildlife. It serves as a reminder that animals should not be used as props for social media and that human actions can have serious consequences for the welfare of animals.
As Dr. Bishop said, “It’s just a completely inappropriate and wrong way to interact with, with any animals, let alone our native wildlife.”