On April 11, 2024, a wild yet domesticated magpie sparked widespread discussion on social media.
A couple on Australia's Gold Coast, Juliet Wells and Reece Mortenson, are excited about the upcoming return of their pet magpie, Molly. Upon hearing the news, the couple immediately shared an old video on social media showing Molly playing with their two Staffordshire Bulldogs, Peggy and Ruby. Molly is seen leaping happily on the patio, before the scene cuts to her playing indoors with the dogs and enjoying her deserved treats.
They captioned the post: "Time to switch from stress mode to party mode—Molly's going home."
The couple said they are “taking the necessary steps” to ensure Molly can stay at home permanently this time.
Molly has gained nearly a million followers online for her friendship with her family's two Staffordshire Bulldogs. On March 1, Queensland Environment officials removed the male magpie from Juliet and Reese's home for illegally keeping wild birds.
Molly's abduction sparked a strong reaction on social media, with the couple and their devoted fans appealing to the Queensland Premier for her return. Premier Steven Myers announced on Wednesday that Molly would be home "soon," provided the couple obtained the appropriate wildlife permits.
However, reports now indicate that Juliet and Reese must adhere to a series of conditions in order to keep the wild bird at home. Officials have prohibited the couple from obtaining any ongoing commercial benefit from the bird, raising questions about their popular social media pages and the future of their book, Peggy and Molly. They must also undergo wildlife care training, advocate for public education on how to properly care for local wildlife, and allow authorities to monitor Molly to ensure she receives adequate care.
Wildlife authorities said the magpie was taken from the couple's home because they did not have a permit to keep wild birds. They said the bird was highly adapted to human environments and might have "developmental problems," meaning it could never be released back into the wild. However, the couple argued that they did not care for Molly like pet owners care for caged parrots, as Molly was free to fly, find food, and return home on her own. They said they rescued Molly from her nest in 2020.
In Queensland, magpies and other wildlife protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 can only be cared for by licensed caregivers. These caregivers must certify to wildlife authorities that they possess the skills to provide the necessary professional care.
