Australia's Prime Minister didn't mince his words when sharing his thoughts on the US influencer who snatched a baby wombat from its mother.
Anthony Albanese told shamed content creator Sam Jones that she should pick on someone her own size - or failing that, to try her luck with a crocodile.
The leader, 62, let rip at the influencer - who claims to be a a 'wildlife biologist and environmental scientist' - after footage of her 'outrageous' act went viral.
Advert
Jones posted a video to Instagram showing her picking up a baby wombat from the side of the road as the joey's panic-struck mother gave chase.
Take a look at this:
The animal appeared to be distressed in the shocking clip and was seen trying to wriggle away from the influencer while making hissing sounds.
Advert
Observing that the wombat's mother seemed to be 'p**sed' about her baby being seized, Jones then placed the animal back on the side of the road.
Australian officials quickly made it clear that the country's animals are not for amusement while blasting the American for her 'dreadful' stunt.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke previously said his department was weighing up 'whether immigration law has been breached' and were considering revoking her visa.
However, Jones later fled Australia of her own accord - although Burke warned she would struggle to ever enter the nation again, 'given the level of scrutiny that will happen'.
Advert
Foreign Minister Penny Wong also said of Jones actions: "It looked pretty dreadful, didn't it? Really, leave the wombat alone."
But it's Albanese comments which have realy got people talking, as he urged Jones to take on something a bit snappier if she ever fancied interfering with wildlife again.
The Prime Minister said in disgust: "To take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother, is just an outrage.
Advert
"I 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.
"Take another animal that can actually fight back, rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother. See how you go there."
Jones has since fired back at Albanese and Co in a lengthy statement addressing the controversy, while insisting she is not a 'villain'.
The influencer claims that she spotted the animals on the side of the road and pulled over to make sure they didn't get struck by a car.
Advert
She explained that she picked up the joey as she became concerned for its welfare when it 'did not move or run off' as she approached.
Jones claimed she only ran away from the baby wombat's mother in 'fear she might attack', describing it as a 'snap judgement' which she now realises was a mistake.
"I have learned from this situation, and am truly sorry for the distress I have caused," she said. "I want to make it absolutely clear that this was never about social media or getting likes.
"This was not staged, nor was it done for entertainment," she added. "In my excitement and concern, I acted too quickly and then failed to provide necessary context to viewers online."
Jones then slipped in a series of shocking allegations about Aussie politicians and how animals are treated in Australia, while calling out Albanese by name for 'wishing harm' on her with his croc comment.
She alleged that the government 'allows and permits the slaughter of wombats', which are a legally protected species.
Her savage statement then added: "Your government further spends tens of millions of taxpayer dollars annually to fly around in helicopters and shoot beautiful horses, deer, and pigs out its windows.
"A swift death is often not afforded to these animals.
"[Animal] carcasses are then left on your public lands to rot. Your Snowy River and Kosciuszko National Park brumbys are being slaughtered by the thousands on your dime - speak to your Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about that."
Further down, she went on to say: "While the Prime Minister wishes harm on me for picking up a wombat, I implore you to take a good, hard look at what is currently being done in Australia surrounding the real issues it faces, the lack of power for tens of thousands of Aussies and the treatment of its native wildlife.
"Then, decide for yourself, if I, a person who certainly makes mistakes, am really your villain."
Olivia Burke