Molly and Peggy can relax

MOLLY, the Australian magpie, and Peggy, the Staffordshire terrier, can relax – their unusual relationship can continue and thrive, says the BBC.

But it took a petition of 150 000 people to reverse a ruling by the Australian wildlife authorities that the weird friendship of a wild bird and a pet dog should be ended.

Reece Mortensen had rescued

Molly when she was a chick in 2020.

Footage of the Molly and Peggy interaction had attracted some 800 000 followers via Recce's and his partner Julie Wells's Instagram account.

But the wildlife authorities took possession of Molly anyway, for six weeks.

In an emotional video, the couple announced online that they had “surrendered” Molly to the authorities.

“We are asking why a wild magpie can't decide for itself where it wants to live and who it wants to spend its time with?”

This sparked a mass public outcry across Australia. Queensland premier Steven Miles said that returning Molly to the couple would be a victory for “common sense”.

Molly has been returned.

Rewilding Scotland

Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio has joined Scottish environmentalists in urging ministers to declare the country a rewilding nation, says Sky News.

The American actor took to Instagram to share the message of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, with his 62.1 million followers.

The alliance is a coalition of more than 20 nature organisations urging the Scottish government to declare the country the first rewilding nation in an effort to boost conservation strategies.

The Oscar-winning actor wrote: “The Scottish Rewilding Alliance is urging the Scottish government to declare Scotland a rewilding nation, committing to nature recovery across 30% of the land and seas to benefit nature, climate, and people.

“About 6 000 years ago, most of southern Scotland was covered by broadleaf woodland, interspersed with patches of rich scrub, heath, and bog.

“In stark contrast, the landscape today is nature-depleted hills, with highly degraded sheep-grazed areas (so called ‘sheep-wrecked' landscapes) and blocks of non-native spruce plantations.

“With this campaign, Scotland could be a world leader in rewilding its landscapes, ensuring clean air and water, storing carbon, reducing flooding, restoring wildlife, and improving the lives of locals.”

Cartoon recalled

THIS BBC piece recalls a cartoon many years ago in one of the blats.

The BBC piece: “The UK's first fully-blind overseas ambassador tells BBC News her disability can help build relationships with influential people around the globe.

“Victoria Harrison has until the summer to become fluent in Slovene (Slovenia) before taking up her post.”

The cartoon: A highly irritated woman is introducing to her friend a fellow in dark glasses who is trying to grope at her.

“This is Mr Harrison. He says he's blind.”

Tailpiece

AN AUSTRALIAN police officer pulls over to rescue a possum trapped on a highway, only to also find an injured magpie nearby.

Once the magpie is collected and safely tucked away, the officer realises he can't find the possum. It turns out it's stowed away on his motorcycle!

Last word

Writing about music is like dancing about architecture. | Elvis Costello