Insta-famous magpie returned to carers
Molly the Magpie has been returned to its carers, 45 days after he was surrendered to officials.
In a statement on Monday, DESI said the magpie – made famous on social media for its friendship with a Staffordshire bull terrier named Peggy – had been returned to Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen after they agreed to meet a number of conditions.
“The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) has approved a specialised licence and today returned ‘Molly’ the magpie to a couple who took it in as a nestling in 2020,” the statement said.
“Independent expert veterinary advice has shown that Molly, who was surrendered to the department on 1 March, is highly habituated and may have developmental issues, meaning it can never be … returned to the wild.
“The decision to return Molly has been made in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act 1992, following extensive legal advice.”
DESI said the conditions agree to by the couple included:
NO ongoing commercial gain from the bird or its image.
UNDERTAKING wildlife carer training.
ONGOING engagement with DESI to ensure the bird is receiving adequate care and e
“DESI has also required the family undertake an advocacy and public education role be performed to encourage people to appropriately care for native wildlife and acknowledging the specialist skills required to care for and rehabilitate wildlife.”