{"id":872562,"date":"2026-08-29T10:30:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T10:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/872562\/"},"modified":"2026-08-29T10:30:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T10:30:33","slug":"influencer-samantha-strable-who-made-headlines-for-taking-baby-wombat-pleads-guilty-to-hunting-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/872562\/","title":{"rendered":"Influencer Samantha Strable who made headlines for taking baby wombat pleads guilty to hunting charges"},"content":{"rendered":"

An American<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Woman who made headlines for taking baby wombat pleads guilty to hunting charges.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

Prosecutors dropped a further seven charges including taking an animal<\/a> without a licence or during a closed season.<\/p>\n

Strable, also known online as Sam Jones, was sentenced to 180 days\u2019 detention, which was immediately suspended, and was sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay $A800 in fines and court fees.<\/p>\n

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

In the video, the influencer runs down a remote road holding the joey as a man laughs off-camera, saying: \u201cLook at the mother, it\u2019s chasing after her.\u201d <\/p>\n

Holding the distressed animal up to the camera, Strable says: \u201cI caught a baby wombat. Mumma\u2019s right there, she is p*****, let\u2019s let him go.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"StrableStrable made headlines after taking the baby wombat from its mother in March 2025. Credit: Instagram<\/p>\n

In a caption for the video, Strable said it was a \u201cdream\u201d of hers to hold a wombat.<\/p>\n

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

\u201cTo take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother, is just an outrage,\u201d Albanese said, describing the marsupials as \u201cgentle, lovely creatures\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cI 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother. See how you go then.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Strable\u00a0pleadedStrable\u00a0pleaded guilty to hunting without a guide in late 2025. Credit: Instagram<\/p>\n

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke at the time said the government was looking over Strables\u2019 visa to determine whether immigration laws had been breached.<\/p>\n

\u201cEither way, given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I\u2019ll be surprised if she even bothers,\u201d Burke said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual. I don\u2019t expect she will return.\u201d <\/p>\n

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 \u201chandle\u201d the situation well. <\/p>\n

\u201cI have learnt from this situation and have realised that I did not handle this situation as best as I should have,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Strable left the country soon after the video was published.<\/p>\n

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