U.S. influencer Sam Jones apologized for taking a baby wombat from its mother out of fear for its safety. She explained that she thought the wombat was sick and only picked it up briefly before returning it to its mother. Jones admitted she could have handled the situation better but maintained that her intentions were good. The video of the incident was deleted, but it sparked outrage in Australia where wombats are a protected species. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incident an “outrage” and thousands signed a petition to deport Jones from Australia. On Friday, Jones left the country. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke commented that it was now a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia. Jones expressed regret for the distress she caused and clarified that the incident was not staged for social media or entertainment purposes. The Australian government states that harming wombats without a license is illegal. Jones, who has more than 96,000 Instagram followers, is known for being an outdoor enthusiast. She received criticism for her actions but maintains that she never intended to harm the animals. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and following regulations to protect endangered species like wombats.
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