Molly the magpie has been returned home after being removed by conservation authorities.
Molly the Magpie gained an online following of almost a million people who were charmed by his friendship with two Staffordshire Terriers Peggy and Ruby at the Gold Coast home of Juliette Wells and Reese Mortenson.
Queensland Environment Department officials removed the male magpie from the couple’s home on March 1, saying the wild bird was being unlawfully kept.
But now the bird is finally home, after being separated from the family for 45 days.
“The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) has approved a specialist license and today returned ‘Molly’ the magpie to a couple who took it in as a nestling in 2020,” a statement said.
‘Independent expert veterinary advice has shown that Molly, who was handed over to the department on March 1, is highly habituated and may have developmental problems, meaning the animal can never be rehabilitated or returned to the wild.
Molly the Magpie, who became famous for his relationship with Staffies Ruby and Peggy, was removed from the home of Juliette Wells and Reese Mortenson on March 1.
‘The decision to return Molly was taken in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act 1992, following extensive legal advice.’
DESI added that Juliette and Reese agreed to conditions including completing training as a wildlife carer, continued cooperation with DESI to ensure Molly receives adequate care and enrichment, and ceasing any continued commercial profit from Molly or his image .
“These conditions are standard for all specialist wildlife keeper licenses in Queensland and will ensure the best outcome for the bird’s ongoing health and welfare,” they said.
‘DESI has also required the family to take on an advocacy and public education role to encourage people to properly care for native wildlife and recognize the specialist skills required to care for and care for wildlife to rehabilitate.’
It comes as Molly’s removal caused a social media storm, with online followers calling for the bird’s safe return.
Prime Minister Steven Miles even joined the chorus, despite the couple accusing him of ignoring their calls and emails.
Wildlife authorities have seized the Instagram-famous bird (pictured centre) amid allegations the magpie was being unlawfully kept on their Gold Coast property
On Wednesday morning, he announced that Molly would be reunited with his canine friends “very soon.”
“This morning the department informed me that the couple can obtain the appropriate permit. The team will now work with them to do that,” Miles said.
“It’s good news and means Molly can come home very soon.”
The Prime Minister thanked those who had advocated for Molly’s return and said the magpie was in good spirits and receiving good care.
Juliete and Reese rescued Molly as a chick after he fell from his nest in 2020.
Initially thought by Mrs Wells that Molly was a woman, she is actually a man and the name stuck.
Videos of Molly playing with the couple’s two Staffies quickly gained traction on the internet and formed a loyal fan base.
On Monday, Molly returned him to his family after Juliette Wells and Reese Mortenson agreed to the terms set by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Innovation.
Queensland law prohibits native wild animals from being domesticated and kept as pets.
Animals that are sick, orphaned or injured can only be rescued and cared for by those who hold a rehabilitation permit and intend to release them back into the wild.
The couple has previously explained that Molly is not kept in the same way a pet owner would care for a caged budgerigar or parrot, as he is free to fly away, forage for food and return on his own.
Mrs Wells was first asked to surrender Molly six months ago when authorities visited her home, but she was unable to capture the bird as it was perched in a tree.