Molly the magpie back home with best friend Peggy
Molly the magpie has been returned to its carers, 45 days after he was surrendered to Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) 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 rehabilitated or 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 agreed to 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 enrichment.
“These conditions are standard for all specialised licences held by wildlife carers in Queensland and ensure the best outcome for the bird’s ongoing health and wellbeing,” they said.
“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.”
Molly’s return follows a huge social media campaign, which won the public support of Queensland Premier Steven Miles.