She snatched a wombat and fled—now she strikes again with a new catch

In a tale that seems to have leapt straight from the pages of a wildlife crime novel, Samantha Strable, infamously dubbed the ‘wombat snatcher’, has once again stirred the pot of controversy. Not long after her hasty departure from Australian shores amidst a storm of public outrage, Strable has resurfaced on social media, this time with a new trophy from the natural world. But before you jump to conclusions, there’s a twist in this story that’s as surprising as it is revealing.

Let’s rewind a bit for those who may not be familiar with the saga. Strable first made headlines when she posted a video of herself brazenly snatching a baby wombat from its mother, an act that led to the poor creature frantically chasing her down the road. The distressing footage, captured by her chuckling partner Louie Sixt, sparked a global outcry and ultimately resulted in Strable fleeing the country under the threat of visa cancellation by the Australian government.

Fast forward to the present, and Strable has once again taken to social media, this time showcasing her catch of a critically endangered Murray Cod. The image of her beaming with the large fish in hand immediately set off alarm bells among her followers, with many fearing she had somehow slipped back into Australia to continue her controversial wildlife exploits. However, it turns out that Strable is still abroad, and her latest post is nothing more than a brazen attempt to provoke the nation she left behind.

Daily Mail Australia has confirmed through immigration sources that Strable remains offshore and has not returned since the infamous wombat incident. Despite facing potential deportation after her first wildlife encounter, Strable has been unapologetic, even going so far as to accuse Australia of hypocrisy, making unfounded claims that farmers routinely kill native wildlife to protect livestock.

In the wake of the initial uproar, Federal Immigration Minister Tony Burke expressed his eagerness for Australia to be rid of Strable, doubting she would ever attempt to return given the scrutiny she would face upon reapplying for a visa.

The recent photos with the Murray Cod, which show Strable on a boat with fishing gear, were accompanied by a caption praising the beauty of the native fish. This post, however, is not an indication of her return but rather a continuation of her travels, which have taken her through Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Strable, who self-identifies as an ‘outdoor enthusiast and hunter’, has been documenting her journey on social media, including encounters with Thai wildlife and cultural experiences. Despite the backlash, she has found some support among her followers, with comments on her posts ranging from admiration for her catches to sympathy for the situation she finds herself in.

In her defence, Strable has claimed that her actions were intended to move animals safely off the road and that the video was not staged for entertainment. She has also pointed to the legal culling of animals in Australia, such as kangaroos, as evidence of what she perceives as double standards.

As this story continues to spark conversation, it highlights the complexities surrounding wildlife protection, public accountability, and personal responsibility in the age of social media. While opinions may differ, it’s a reminder of how individual actions can resonate far beyond their original setting.

What are your thoughts on this controversial issue? Have you ever witnessed similar incidents of wildlife disrespect? We’d appreciate hearing your perspectives—feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

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