Influencer under fire for snatching baby wombat in Australia

An American influencer is facing backlash after posting a video of herself forcibly removing a baby wombat from its mother in the wild.

The footage, taken at night, shows the distressed joey hissing and screeching as the influencer runs back towards a vehicle.

The incident has drawn global condemnation and is now under investigation by Australian authorities.

Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia and New Zealand, condemned the act, stating:

This is cruelty for the sake of content.

"Wombats are not a photo prop or plaything; it’s clear from this video how distressing the mother and baby wombat found this experience. 

"Wildlife should be observed from a distance. Handling them in this way can be incredibly harmful – not just for the animals but also for the humans."

Milthorpe also noted that the influencer had posted a separate video picking up an echidna, demonstrating a pattern of reckless interactions with wildlife.

"Snatching a screaming baby wombat from their mother is not just appalling, it’s very possibly illegal under Australia's state or national laws.

"World Animal Protection is calling on the Australian Government to investigate this act and, if she has broken a law, apply penalties for this outrageous and harmful behaviour."

The impact of selfie culture on wildlife

This case highlights the darker side of wildlife tourism, where social media users exploit animals for photos and videos, often at the cost of the animal’s well-being.

While this incident took place in the wild, many attractions are still holding wild animals captive in order to interact with the public. 

Big cat selfies, elephant rides, swimming with dolphins, and more, are all exploitative attractions which prioritise profit over animal welfare.

Encounters like these can cause significant stress, disrupt natural behaviours, and put both animals and humans at risk.

Social media trends have fuelled these demands, which in turn have led to companies greenwashing attractions to entice tourists who are seeking more ethical encounters.

Ethical wildlife tourism and the Wildlife Selfie Code

Wildlife selfies have long been a controversial topic in animal welfare.

To address this issue, we previously introduced the Wildlife Selfie Code, which educates travellers on responsible wildlife interactions.

To protect wildlife, tourists should research and opt for ethical experiences that observe animals in their natural habitats without disturbing them.

Avoid any attraction that offers direct contact, feeding, or handling of wild animals.

Wildlife is not here for entertainment

This incident serves as a stark reminder that wildlife exists for its own sake, not for human entertainment.

Taking animals out of their natural environments, even briefly, can cause immense stress and lasting harm.

Instead of seeking out interactions for the sake of a selfie, responsible tourists should support ethical wildlife experiences and conservation efforts.

It is imperitive for tourists to make responsible travel choices to ensure the safety and welfare of wild animals.