WILD BEHAVIOR

Wombat-Snatching Influencer Arrested for Outrageous Hunting Violations

The American influencer left Australia earlier this year amid backlash.

The American influencer who earlier this year snatched a baby wombat from its mother in Australia—and was nearly kicked out of the country—is now allegedly under arrest in the U.S. on hunting-violation charges. Samantha Strable, who calls herself a “wildlife biologist and environmental scientist,” came under fire in March after posting a video of herself snatching the joey from its mother and shouting, “I caught a baby wombat!” while the animal made distressed sounds. Now, the influencer, who also goes by Sam Jones online, appears on a list of people arrested in Sublette County, Wyoming, and is facing eight misdemeanor charges, including non-resident hunting without a guide and taking wildlife without a license. Though the 25-year-old issued an apology after the wombat incident—saying she ran from the mother wombat “out of fear she might attack”—Australians, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, were not impressed, and Strable eventually left the country amid the backlash. “They are gentle, lovely creatures,” said the Australian prime minister, adding, “Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there.”