I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me,” Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, posted on social media.

The self-described wildlife biologist filmed herself taking the distressed animal from its mother. She has since left Australia amid calls for her deportation.

AN American influencer who snatched a baby wombat from its mother has broken her silence, saying she is “truly sorry” for the distress caused. Sam Jones, whose real name is Samantha