<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Queensland’s Premier announced Molly the Magpie will be reunited with her owners just hours after he was accused of “ignoring” their pleas for help.
Molly, who rose to fame for her “interspecies friendship” with two Staffordshire terriers, Peggy and Ruby, was removed from Juliette Wells and Reese Mortenson’s Gold Coast home on March 1.
The couple accused Premier Steven Miles of ignoring their calls and emails after he initially shared his support for the Instagram-famous bird’s return.
In a major update Wednesday morning, Miles announced in a statement that Molly would be reuniting with her canine friends “very soon.”
‘This morning the department informed me that the couple can obtain the appropriate license. The team will work with them to achieve this now,” she stated.
“It’s good news and means Molly will be able to come home very soon.”
The Prime Minister thanked those who had advocated for Molly’s return and said the magpie was in good spirits and receiving good care.
The development comes just hours after the couple claimed their calls and emails to the prime minister’s office had gone unanswered.
Molly the Magpie, who became famous for her relationship with Staffies Ruby and Peggy, was removed from Juliette Wells and Reese Mortenson’s home on March 1.
On Tuesday, Wells posted a video of her dog Ruby whining.
‘Ruby is disappointed. Why is it taking so long? MR QLD STEVEN MILES said she was going to help me bring Molly to me but she is not answering my emails or phone calls. I do not understand why? she wrote in the caption.
“If he calls me again, I’ll say WOW! I’m NOT happy, I miss my best friend and I think about him every day.”
Just four days earlier, the couple told their 800,000 Instagram followers they planned to meet with Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) to discuss the best path forward for Molly.
“The department is moving forward and trying to establish the legal frameworks for a positive solution,” they wrote.
‘We are confident that with the right training, support and licensing, we can achieve this. We need to keep moving forward together and keep the emails flowing.”
The couple said life was “quiet” without Molly’s chirping, but that DESI officials had assured them that the magpie was healthy and in good spirits.
They claim to have rescued Molly as a chick after she fell from her nest in 2020.
Originally, Mrs. Wells thought Molly was a woman, but she is actually a man and the name stuck.
Videos of Molly playing with the couple’s two Staffies soon gained traction online and developed a loyal fan base.
Wildlife authorities seized the Instagram-famous bird (pictured centre) over allegations the magpie was being held illegally on its Gold Coast property.
Queensland legislation prohibits the domestication of native wild animals due to the potential impact on wildlife (pictured, Peggy and Molly the Magpie holding hands)
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.
However, the couple claim that they did not care for Molly in the same way a pet owner would care for a cockatoo or parrot, insisting instead that the bird is free to fly and search for food.
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.
WhatsNew2Day Australia has contacted DESI and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for comment.
The former owners of Instagram-famous bird ‘Molly the Magpie’ have accused Steven Miles of ignoring their calls after initially supporting their bird to bring him home.