“Molly Is Happy And Healthy”: Family Shares Bittersweet Update After Their Magpie Was Forcibly Removed From Home With Doggy BFF
Molly the magpie, who soared to internet stardom for striking an unlikely bond with a Staffordshire bull terrier named Peggy, is “happy and healthy” weeks after his dramatic seizure from an Australian family, according to an update provided by wildlife rangers.
The feathered celebrity was taken away by Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) last month, leading to his separation from his beloved pet parents, Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, and their canine companions, Peggy and Ruby.
Molly’s tale began in 2020 when he fell from his nest and was rescued by Juliette and Reece. The couple nursed Molly back to health and had the pleasure of watching him form an unbreakable bond with their canine, Peggy.
Molly the magpie formed an unlikely friendship with two tail-wagging companions, Peggy and Ruby
Image credits: Peggyandmolly
The magpie quickly became an integral part of the family, and his sweet friendship with Peggy captured hearts worldwide, amassing more than 2 million followers on social media.
However, Molly’s story took a nosedive after DESI officials seized the bird because it is illegal in Queensland to keep native wildlife without a permit.
After Juliette and Reece were forced to give up the beloved bird on March 1, the Internet went abuzz with a petition demanding Molly be returned to the family.
Molly was taken in by couple Juliette and Reece after he fell from his nest in 2020
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Weeks after the seizure, Juliette and Reece said they finally received an update about Molly’s well-being.
“Molly is doing very well. He is happy and he is healthy,” Juliette said.
“We don’t definitely know we’re going to get him back but there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” she added.
Molly became an internet sensation after pictures and videos of him with his best friend, Peggy, were shared on social media
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Juliette said they are keeping in touch with officials and are waiting to receive updates about their permit.
The couple spoke about how Molly’s absence in the house is taking a heavy toll on them, especially on Ruby and Peggy, who dearly miss their feathered buddy.
“Whenever they hear birds in the backyard, they’ll run out to see if it is Molly,” Juliette was quoted saying.
The couple has been in touch with officials to have Molly reunited with Peggy and Ruby soon
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“Peggy is clingy and depressed as well,” she added.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles has been involved in the case ever since Molly was seized. He released a statement on Thursday about how they are looking for a way to reunite the bird with his family.
“I’m most interested in what is in the best interests of the animal and if the department can work with the family to reunite them in a way that is legal, I would support them,” he said.
Peggy has been “clingy and depressed” since her best friend, Molly, was taken away, Juliette said
Image credits: Peggyandmolly
“I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail,” he added.
A spokesperson for DESI said they are examining all the options for the bird’s future and said, “Our priority is the ongoing welfare of the magpie, and the bird is safe, undergoing rehabilitation and has full access to veterinary care.”
"Undergoing rehabilitation..." Meaning they are most likely attempting to remove his lifetime of domestication, which also means they've probably already decided to release him into the wild. If they do, I hope he makes it in the wild (or he might even fly back to his adopted family, oops).
The most annoying thing is they weren't keeping the magpie in a cage. You can see it outside in the yard playing with the dog in their videos. If it wasn't happy to be there it would leave.
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The actions of Australian Wildlife managers are more often strange than making sense. Horses are not native to the Netherlands, but we do place them, living wild on their own, on purpose in our most delicate and unique nature parks. They and galloway cattle are the only ones who can keep the environment in shape, so indigenous animals will find safe places for food, shelter and breeding. It is a proven method. The horses leave other animals on their own, do not damage trees and don't disturb the soil (no shoes). They are counted and if too many, yearlings (mostly colts, usually leaving their family anyway) are pulled out and sold to private owners. Hunting by helicopter is creating a stampede, disturbing other animals, destroying the soil and plants, results in wounded horses with broken legs left to die over days, trampled foals, foals being born into the stampede. Leaving the cadavers to rot away on location will poison the soil and drinking water. And don't come crying about fires.
They are in the process of doing that. The minister in charge was actually interviewed just recently and said something along the lines of "they're trying to expedite a permit". edit: Premier, not minister. https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/molly-the-magpie-and-peggy-the-dog-one-step-closer-to-reunion-after-queensland-environment-department-offers-help--c-14116808
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Even as a wildlife rehabber I would support the bird given back to the family even though 99.9% of the time my answer is NO when I get asked "Can I keep it?".
Similar thing happened in a nearby state. Family's dog adopted and raised an orphaned deer. State DNR found out and came to house with police. Deer was a young adult doe who wandered in and out of yard into forest at this point. They took it to the end of the driveway and shot it. They said it was too pet-like. Don't post about stuff like this or you will be at the mercy of bureaucrats who don't care.
As a former Australian animal welfare officer, these people should never have taken in the magpie in the first place. It should have been turned over the RSPCA or another wildlife rehabilitation org. Turning it into a pet, and a source of income, was always going to end badly for them. Frankly, they're lucky that the only thing that's happened is that the animal was taken away from them for rehabilitation.
You don't have to advertise the fact that you're an unempathetic person. Makes you look really bad.
Load More Replies... "Undergoing rehabilitation..." Meaning they are most likely attempting to remove his lifetime of domestication, which also means they've probably already decided to release him into the wild. If they do, I hope he makes it in the wild (or he might even fly back to his adopted family, oops).
The most annoying thing is they weren't keeping the magpie in a cage. You can see it outside in the yard playing with the dog in their videos. If it wasn't happy to be there it would leave.
Load More Replies... The actions of Australian Wildlife managers are more often strange than making sense. Horses are not native to the Netherlands, but we do place them, living wild on their own, on purpose in our most delicate and unique nature parks. They and galloway cattle are the only ones who can keep the environment in shape, so indigenous animals will find safe places for food, shelter and breeding. It is a proven method. The horses leave other animals on their own, do not damage trees and don't disturb the soil (no shoes). They are counted and if too many, yearlings (mostly colts, usually leaving their family anyway) are pulled out and sold to private owners. Hunting by helicopter is creating a stampede, disturbing other animals, destroying the soil and plants, results in wounded horses with broken legs left to die over days, trampled foals, foals being born into the stampede. Leaving the cadavers to rot away on location will poison the soil and drinking water. And don't come crying about fires.
They are in the process of doing that. The minister in charge was actually interviewed just recently and said something along the lines of "they're trying to expedite a permit". edit: Premier, not minister. https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/molly-the-magpie-and-peggy-the-dog-one-step-closer-to-reunion-after-queensland-environment-department-offers-help--c-14116808
Load More Replies... Even as a wildlife rehabber I would support the bird given back to the family even though 99.9% of the time my answer is NO when I get asked "Can I keep it?".
Similar thing happened in a nearby state. Family's dog adopted and raised an orphaned deer. State DNR found out and came to house with police. Deer was a young adult doe who wandered in and out of yard into forest at this point. They took it to the end of the driveway and shot it. They said it was too pet-like. Don't post about stuff like this or you will be at the mercy of bureaucrats who don't care.
As a former Australian animal welfare officer, these people should never have taken in the magpie in the first place. It should have been turned over the RSPCA or another wildlife rehabilitation org. Turning it into a pet, and a source of income, was always going to end badly for them. Frankly, they're lucky that the only thing that's happened is that the animal was taken away from them for rehabilitation.
You don't have to advertise the fact that you're an unempathetic person. Makes you look really bad.
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