A Queensland couple behind an Instagram page that made Molly the magpie a star have made an emotional plea to authorities to return the bird to their home.
Molly became a global phenomenon when wildlife enthusiasts Juliette Wells and Reese Mortensen, from Coomera on the northern Gold Coast, told the story online of the unlikely friendship between the magpie and her Staffordshire terrier dogs, Peggy and Ruby .
The trio rose to fame, attracting two million followers on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and starred in a book full of photographs of the unlikely companions, as fans gushed about the “very special” relationship between the three animals.
However, authorities said the native bird could not be kept without a license and confiscated the animal.
In a new video, Wells appeared to hold back tears as she said the decision had left the couple “devastated”, and that the dogs had lost their “best friend”.
He said the Department of Environmental Science and Innovation (DESI) first came forward on June 13 last year and wanted Molly to be handed over.
“We refused because it was thriving in the trees surrounding our property and had been accepted here.” she said.
Juliette Wells and Reese Mortensen have said they are “devastated” that their magpie Molly had been kidnapped and that their dogs Peggy and Ruby were missing their “best friend.”
The trio rose to stardom, attracting two million followers on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and the blogger even published a book full of photos of the “unlikely companions.”
After an argument, department officials left and assumed they would be allowed to keep the bird, but then returned and Molly was “voluntarily” surrendered earlier this month.
“We did everything we could to work with the department, including training…” Mr. Mortensen said.
The couple are now asking their supporters to email local MP Michael Crandon and DESI CEO to review the decision to capture Molly and launch an investigation into how DESI officers handled the case.
Molly was confiscated on March 1 and DESI confirmed that one magpie was “voluntarily surrendered” to officials.
“It is alleged that the bird was taken from the wild and kept illegally, without DESI issuing any permits, licenses or authorities,” a spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
Commenters on the video shared their outrage over Molly’s capture by authorities.
‘This is a classic example of bureaucracy over common sense and humanity. “Our taxpayer-funded departments should use their resources to help the community and save abused wildlife, not harm it,” one said.
“This is nothing more than animal cruelty, removing this bird from its chosen home,” another added.
One commenter asked why Mr. Mortenson was explaining why he didn’t get his wildlife permit.
“The organization through which I obtained my permit was informed that having me as a member could compromise their license and all their handlers would also lose their permits, leaving thousands of animals without handlers,” she said.
It is understood that strict conditions apply to wildlife permits which are usually only granted for rehabilitation or when animals cannot be released into the wild.
Molly became a global phenomenon after Wells, a blogger from Coomera in Queensland, began creating content highlighting the unlikely “cross-species friendship” between an Australian magpie and her pair of employees.
The Queensland Department of Science, Environment and Innovation confirmed that a magpie was “voluntarily surrendered” on March 1.
Queensland legislation prohibits the domestication of native wild animals due to the potential impact on wildlife.
Sick, orphaned or injured animals can only be rescued and cared for by those who have a rehabilitation permit and intend to return them to the wild.
But Ms Wells denied the bird was in captivity and insisted Molly had been taken in by her family when the bird was apparently abandoned in 2020.
“We don’t ‘take care’ of him like people keep cockatoos or parrots in cages,” his publicist said. Yahoo News Australia.
Originally, Mrs. Wells thought Molly was a woman, but she is actually a man and the name stuck.
The publicist added: “Once (Molly) was well enough, we taught her to forage in the garden, we taught her to fly and be independent.”
Wells brought Molly home for the first time in 2020, suspecting that his parents had abandoned him.
She believes the magpie “seemed very weak and not at all well” but made a full recovery.
Wells brought Molly home in 2020, suspecting that she had been abandoned by her parents.
Wells was first asked to hand over the bird six months ago when authorities visited his home, but he was unable to capture it because it was in a tree.
She continued to share videos of Molly and her dogs on social media; She most recently posted a clip of the couple lounging on a dog bed, even though Molly had already given up.
DESI is currently focused on finding a home for Molly, who is now unable to fly like a normal magpie would.
“Unfortunately, he is very habituated to human contact and is not capable of being returned to the wild,” the spokesperson said.
“A process is currently underway to place the magpie in a suitable facility.”
Investigations are ongoing.
“Animals in rehabilitation should not be associated with domestic animals due to the potential for stress and the risk of behavioral imprinting and disease transmission,” the government spokesperson added.
“Wild animals must stay wild.”
Some Molly fans have launched a Change.org petition to reunite the bird with Ms. Wells, Mr. Mortensen and their dogs.
“Peggy and Molly, beautiful Staffy and Magpie who grew up together on the Gold Coast for four years, share an unbreakable bond,” the petition states.
‘This bond is not only emotional but also crucial for your well-being. Please join us in our plea to reunite Peggy and Molly.’