The Queensland premier has revealed a magpie could be returned to a Gold Coast family weeks after the bird was separated from its carers and their pet bull terrier.
Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen adopted Molly the magpie in 2020 after it fell from the nest.
The bird became Instagram famous, attracting 728,000 followers, for videos showing its friendship with the couple’s dog, Peggy. Dozens of videos captured over the years show the animals playing and sleeping together.
But the department of environment later revealed it was unlawful to care for a magpie without a permit and the couple voluntarily surrendered the bird on 1 March.
Speaking on the Gold Coast on Thursday, the Queensland premier, Steven Miles, said officers were ready to provide training to Molly’s carers so a family reunion could take place.
“The environment department stands ready to train Molly’s parents to be wildlife carers, to get them that certification so that Molly can be reunited with her family,” Miles said.
“What I’m suggesting now is that we work with the family to get them that permit so that Molly can be reunited with her family.”
Miles said the final decision rested with the department of environment but he felt Molly and her family should be lawfully reunited.
“In this instance, ensuring they can legally take care of Molly is the best outcome for Molly as well as the family,” he said.
“There has to be a way within the rules to see Molly live out a happy life with her family.”
Molly’s carers said on Tuesday they were “grieving” and “devastated” to lose the bird and had done everything possible to work with the department.
“We are devastated to give you this news and of course these beautiful girls [dogs Peggy and Ruby]; they’ve lost their best friend,” Wells said in a post.
“We did everything in our power to work with the department, including training and also me obtaining my wildlife permit, which, after a period of time, I had to retract my application, as it was a bit of a conflict to our page,” Mortensen said.
The couple’s message went viral and they received an outpouring of love and empathy from the community.
As of Tuesday, more than 65,000 people had signed a petition calling on the department to reunite Peggy and Molly.
