<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The US influencer who briefly </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/us-influencer-embroiled-in-wombat-scandal-leaves-australia/29fa7200-b995-40d1-acca-75f288ffc1c4" rel="" target="" title=""><span>took a baby wombat from its mother</span></a><span> in footage shared on Instagram has made her first statement in the wake of the scandal, apologising for her actions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sam Jones flew out of Australia yesterday after the footage drew swift condemnation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I have learned from this situation and have realised that I did not handle this situation as best as I should have," Jones said in a statement posted to her Instagram page this morning.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/measles-health-alerts-nsw-victoria-new-cases-fresh-warnings/3f863555-7d9b-4fb7-b7b6-e075cdfd2b2f"><strong><span>Fresh measles warnings could impact thousands in NSW and Victoria</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jones claimed that when she found the mother and joey, they were on the road, not moving.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Concerned, she said she made the "snap judgment" to pick up the baby wombat and see if this was the case.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/influencer-who-grabbed-baby-wombat-apologises-for-scandal/eab92418-c5bd-4fe7-b950-7809044ff215" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"While I was unbelievably excited to see such an amazing animal, I looked it over quickly and immediately returned it to its mother.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I ensured that the mother and joey did reunite, went off together, and that they got off the road."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jones said she had reflected on the situation and "realised I did not handle this situation as best as I should have."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I have learned from this situation, and am truly sorry for the distress I have caused."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She said the incident was never about getting likes, nor was it staged for entertainment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jones then went on to criticise the Australian government for its treatment of native animals, including wombats, kangaroos, and wild brumbies.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The Australian government allows and permits the slaughter of wombats," she claimed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Wombats are explicitly protected by law in all Australian states and territories.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke has said that Jones is unlikely to be granted a visa if she tries to return to Australia.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is still not known where or when Jones's wombat footage was filmed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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