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The former “owners” of an Instagram-famous bird have hit another roadblock in their efforts to get the magpie back from wildlife authorities.
Molly the Magpie gained an online following of almost a million people enamored by her friendship with two Staffordshire terriers, Peggy and Ruby.
Queensland Department of Environment officials removed the male magpie from the home of Juliette Wells and Reese Mortenson on the Gold Coast on March 1 over allegations the bird was being held illegally.
After Molly’s expulsion caused outrage on social media, the couple and their loyal followers began petitioning the Queensland Premier to return the bird.
Steven Miles announced Wednesday that Molly would be returning home “very soon” as long as the couple obtained the proper wildlife permit.
However, it has now been revealed that Mrs Wells and Mr Mortensen will also have to meet a number of conditions in order to keep the wild bird in their home.
Authorities have banned the couple from making continued commercial profits from the bird, casting doubt on the future of their beloved ‘peggyandmolly’ Instagram page, which has 815,000 followers.
Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen (pictured with Molly the Magpie and her two Staffordshire terriers, Peggy and Ruby) are banned from making commercial profits from the bird as part of a series of new rules they will have to comply with to keep the magpie.
The couple will also have to train as wildlife keepers and advocate for education about Australia’s wildlife (pictured, Peggy and Molly the Magpie).
They also published the book ‘Peggy and Molly’, which features dozens of photographs of the unique interspecies friendship.
The couple will also have to undergo training as wildlife keepers, advocate for public education about native wildlife and continue to work with the environment department to ensure Molly receives appropriate care.
“Molly’s return is contingent upon the family applying for a license and agreeing to a number of conditions that will ensure the best outcome for the animal’s continued health and well-being,” the department said Thursday.
“Once the individuals have demonstrated that they can and will meet the conditions, Molly will be placed with her former caregivers.”
Wildlife authorities said the magpie was removed from the couple’s home on the grounds that they did not have permission to keep a wild bird.
They say the bird is highly habituated and “may have developmental issues,” meaning it will never be able to return to the wild.
However, the couple argue that they do not keep Molly in the way a pet owner would care for a caged parakeet or parrot, since he is free to fly, forage for food, and return on his own.
They say they rescued Molly as a chick after she fell from her nest in 2020.
Wells was first asked to hand Molly over six months ago when authorities visited her home, but she was unable to capture the bird because it was in a tree.
In Queensland, magpies and other wildlife protected by the Nature Conservation Act 1992 can only be cared for by licensed keepers.
These caregivers must demonstrate to wildlife authorities that they have the necessary skills to provide the necessary specialized care.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles announced Molly the Magpie could be returned to her owners provided the Gold Coast couple applied for appropriate permission.
