Given the current U.S. administration’s “America First” and tough-guy policies, American travelers need to do all they can to positively represent our country. Unfortunately, Sam Jones, who foolishly recorded herself doing something far worse, is not helping our reputation.
According to CNN, who has a copy of the now-deleted video (embedded below), “An American tourist, reportedly filmed picking up and running off with a wild baby wombat, fled Australia after officials threatened to cancel her visa amid a firestorm of criticism. The video, widely shared on social media, appears to show Sam Jones, who has 92,000 followers on Instagram, running with the baby wombat towards a car while its distressed mother chases after her.”
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What kind of heartless person would take a baby from its mother, no matter the species? Not surprisingly, horrified Australians demanded Jones be deported, and Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, was prepared to cancel her visa, but Jones had already fled the country.
Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, even commented on the stunt, suggesting that Jones should try her luck with another Australian animal that might put up a better fight. 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.”
I realize Jones is just a young person prone to doing stupid things—especially for likes on social media—but this was outrageous, even though she returned the animal to the wild.
As Albanese said, “To take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly cause distress to the mother, is just an outrage.”
As you might expect, social media wasn’t kind to Jones:
- @filly_foo: As an American, I don’t want her back. But as an animal lover, I want her prosecuted to the fullest and never allowed back into Australia again.
- @puawhatitdua: Damn it, America… aren’t we embarrassed enough?!🤦🏾♀️
- @esptv: Thanks, fellow American. Like we aren’t the world’s biggest embarrassment already these days.
- @ashleigh_anne369: Goodness gracious. America doesn’t want her back either.
- @rafsandcats: Not all Americans, but always an American.
- @Lindsaymariefelton: This is why people hate us. One of the many reasons…. SMH
Related: Will Americans Be Welcome Abroad Amid Rising Tensions?
