An Australian video shows an influencer grabbing a baby wombat from its mother and holding it up for the camera. The woman, identified as Samantha Strable from Montana, was widely criticized after releasing the joey on the roadside, causing distress to the mother.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called her actions “an outrage” and suggested that she try taking a crocodile. Opposition leader Peter Dutton described the act as “cruel.” The government is reviewing her visa and has warned of intense scrutiny for future immigration applications.
The Wombat Protection Society condemned the video, stating that human interaction can cause severe stress to wombats and may have fatal consequences. Strable apologized for picking up the joey, saying she ensured it was reunited with its mother. However, an email from a reporter revealed that Strable had described herself as a wildlife biologist in a 2023 interview, sparking questions about her qualifications.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in Australia, which is gearing up for a divisive election.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/world/australia/wombat-american-influencer.html