The keepers of Molly the magpie have revealed they will soon be able to get the world-famous bird back home, weeks after it was captured by park rangers.
Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen rescued and adopted Molly (who was initially thought to be female) in 2020 after he fell from his nest.
Molly quickly became a good friend to the couple’s Staffordshire bull terriers Peggy and Ruby, who Ms Wells began documenting on social media, showing the trio cuddling, playing together and the magpie barking like a puppy.
After amassing more than 2 million followers online, several complaints have been made to Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI), saying it is illegal in the state to keep native wildlife without a permit.
The teary-eyed couple was forced to surrender Molly to authorities on March 1.
But on Friday the couple revealed that DESI have agreed to a ‘face-to-face’ meeting with them to discuss options for Molly’s return.
Juliette Wells (pictured) and Reece Mortensen could soon get their beloved Molly back, as they revealed on Friday that DESI bosses are keen to meet them
The keepers of Molly the magpie – who became world famous in recent weeks after being taken by Queensland conservationists – shared good news on Tuesday. Molly is pictured with Juliette Wells and Staffordshire bull terrier Peggy
“We have had an update,” the couple wrote on Friday.
‘We spoke to the bosses of DESI today
‘The department is moving forward and trying to create the legal framework for a positive solution.
“We are meeting face-to-face with the heads of the department to try to figure out the best path forward in Molly’s best interests.
‘We are confident that we can achieve this with the right training, support and licensing.
“We have to keep moving forward together.”
The couple then asked their thousands of supporters to keep up the pressure by emailing DESI ‘in a royal manner’ asking for the birds to be returned.
The couple had not previously seen Molly and had no information about his well-being since he was seized.
But on Tuesday, the pair posted on social media that they received “a long-awaited call from someone who works closely with the Director General of DESI.”
The breakthrough came after the story made international headlines, leading to Queensland Premier Steven Miles becoming involved.
“To say we are relieved is an understatement,” the couple wrote after being assured Molly was safe and well.
“We were told he was healthy, happy and in good spirits (but) we were not told where he was to protect his safety.”
Last Thursday, Mr Miles said DESI “stands ready” to train the couple so Molly can be legally returned to them.
Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen said they were “not given too many details, but we have been assured that DESI is currently exploring options to continue with what the Prime Minister has proposed.”
‘The legality of the situation is not easy to resolve and it is a process through legal frameworks.
‘We will be contacted again at the end of this week about the process and updates.’
The couple said they had failed to obtain the correct wildlife care license due to their social media presence, with more than 785,000 followers on Instagram.
They added that it had been a stressful time for them and their dogs, who are unsure why their friend no longer flies around the house and plays with them.
“Every time they hear birds in the backyard they run outside to see if it’s Molly,” Ms Wells said. “Peggy is also clingy and depressed.”
Molly the magpie is pictured with her best friends Peggy and Ruby, Staffordshire bull terriers
Molly became a global phenomenon after Ms Wells, a blogger from Coomera in Queensland, started creating content highlighting the unlikely ‘interspecies friendship’ between an Australian magpie and her few staff members
Molly’s seizure sparked outrage on social media, with a petition calling for the bird to be returned to its Gold Coast home.
Mr Miles supported the family, saying he was “most interested in what is in the best interests of the animal and if the department can work with the family to reunite them in a legal way, I would support them.”
“I think sometimes common sense has to prevail.”
Mr Mortensen said: ‘We’re not sure if we’re going to get him back, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.’
DESI said it was working with the family to ensure the best outcome for Molly.
“The department has contacted the couple to assure them that Molly is being well cared for and options are being explored for the bird’s future care,” a DESI spokesperson said.
‘Our priority is the continued welfare of the magpie, and the bird is safe, undergoing rehabilitation and has full access to veterinary care.’
Mrs Wells took Molly home in 2020, believing it had been abandoned by her parents