Exignation about influencer: Baby-Wombat caught for Instagram!

Exignation about influencer: Baby-Wombat caught for Instagram!

in Australia, a US influencer recently caused a significant excitement after having separated a baby riparian from his mother and documented the campaign on Instagram. The video shows how the influencer, Sam Jones, holds up the fidgeting animal while the Wombat mother runs behind her. On social media, Jones describes himself as a "wild biologist and environmental scientist" and has a large supporter, which makes the feedback on her behavior even more devastating. Many users are outraged by the decision to catch the animal and separate from his mother.

The video that has now been deleted not only shows Jones's dangerous approach, but also a man who films the scene and comments amused by the situation. Jones himself claims that both the baby kombat and the mother "slowly waded back into the bush" after she had lifted the animal up for a short time. However, critics doubt the correctness of this statement and warn of possible injuries to the young animal.

political and legal consequences

Austria's Interior Minister Tony Burke has already announced to check Sam Jones's visa. This is done with regard to possible violations of the Australian Immigration Act, which underlines the severity of its behavior. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the campaign as scandalous and suggested that the influencer should try other animals. Animal rights activists argue that Jones had no legal basis for lifting the Wombat boy and warning of the consequences that can have such actions for animal welfare.

In Australian law, animals are no longer considered things, but as "feelings", which significantly exacerbates the legal framework for animal protection forces. This was recently adopted in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and is in line with the international endeavor to improve the protection of animals. The penalties for cruelty to animals can be up to $ 235,600 (approx. 137,000 euros), with possible prison terms of up to seven years, which the extent of the legal responsibility that Jones could possibly bear.

social reactions and animal welfare organizations

The reactions from the population and animal welfare organizations are overwhelming. Organizations such as World Animal Protection have sharply condemned the campaign. The veterinarian Tania Bishop of Wires said that the caught young animal is about eight months old and strongly dependent on his mother. Di Evans from the RSPCA also criticizes the "blatant disrespect" towards the animal world and emphasizes the emotional stress that was added to both the young and the mother. The social outrage over Jones ’actions reflects a growing awareness and sensitivity to animal welfare issues that increase in Australia and worldwide.