Influencer Samantha Strable who made headlines for taking baby wombat pleads guilty to hunting charges

An American hunting influencer who caused a scandal in Australia by snatching a baby wombat from its mother for a social media video has faced new backlash in another animal controversy.

Samantha Strable, 26, was sentenced to six months imprisonment for hunting violations in the US state of Wyoming this week, pleading guilty to hunting without a guide in late 2025.

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Woman who made headlines for taking baby wombat pleads guilty to hunting charges.

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Prosecutors dropped a further seven charges including taking an animal without a licence or during a closed season.

Strable, also known online as Sam Jones, was sentenced to 180 days’ detention, which was immediately suspended, and was sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay $A800 in fines and court fees.

In March last year, Strable made headlines around Australia by posting a video of her grabbing a baby wombat from its mother on the side of a road.

In the video, the influencer runs down a remote road holding the joey as a man laughs off-camera, saying: “Look at the mother, it’s chasing after her.”

Holding the distressed animal up to the camera, Strable says: “I caught a baby wombat. Mumma’s right there, she is p*****, let’s let him go.”

Strable made headlines after taking the baby wombat from its mother in March 2025. Credit: Instagram

In a caption for the video, Strable said it was a “dream” of hers to hold a wombat.

The video garnered widespread backlash, including the furor of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who said Strable should try grabbing a baby crocodile next time.

“To take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother, is just an outrage,” Albanese said, describing the marsupials as “gentle, lovely creatures”.

“I would suggest to this so-called influencer … maybe she might try some other Australian animals, take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there,” he said.

“Take another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother. See how you go then.”

Strable pleaded guilty to hunting without a guide in late 2025. Credit: Instagram

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke at the time said the government was looking over Strables’ visa to determine whether immigration laws had been breached.

“Either way, given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I’ll be surprised if she even bothers,” Burke said.

“I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual. I don’t expect she will return.”

The influencer originally tried to defend her actions, saying she was attempting to help the wombat cross the road before finally admitting she did not “handle” the situation well.

“I have learnt from this situation and have realised that I did not handle this situation as best as I should have,” she said.

Strable left the country soon after the video was published.