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.

A now viral video of an American wildlife influencer snatching a baby wombat from its mother on camera during a visit to Australia has caused outraged officials.