Peggy and Molly reunited after premier intervenes

Unlikely animal pals Molly the magpie and Peggy the staffy have been reunited after the bird was surrendered for a month and a half following complaints to a wildlife authority.

Fans of the animal companions have watched their relationship develop from infancy after the bird was taken in as a nestling in 2020.

Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, accused of not holding correct permits to keep the bird, have been able to secure an appropriate licence after Queensland premier Steven Miles intervened.

"We have the best news, Molly is home!" the animal lovers posted on the Peggy and Molly Facebook page.

"It was a very exciting reunion at the [department] this morning for us with a little cry of happiness from Molly," the post read.

"When we arrived home the Peggy and Ruby wiggly bottoms were in full force and a few excited noises from Molly.

"We are so grateful to you our supporters, QLD Premier Steven Miles and the [Department of Environment, Science and Innovation] for allowing us to get our licence and to be reunited with Molly again."

The department has imposed a number of conditions including no ongoing commercial gain is made from the bird or its image and wildlife carer training is undertaken.

Premier Steven Miles provided the update on April 10 after fans of "Peggy and Molly", who have become a social media sensation, campaigned for the bird's return.

"I've spoken to Reece and Juliette and reassured them Molly is in great spirits and is receiving good care," he said.

"This morning the Department has advised me that the couple can secure the appropriate licence. The team will work with them now to do that.

"It's good news and means Molly can come home very soon."

The Premier had previously expressed support for the magpie's return after its removal made headlines in March.

Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen rescued the magpie they named Molly after it fell from a nest at a dog park in 2020.

While caring for the bird with the intention of it returning to the wild, Molly bonded with their Staffy named Peggy, and the couple started to post photos and videos of the pair together.

The Peggy and Molly social pages racked up hundreds of thousands of followers and in 2023 a picture book was released.

But complaints to wildlife authorities led to the couple being contacted by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) first in mid-2023 and then at the beginning of 2024.

The magpie was voluntarily surrendered to the DESI on March 1, a department spokesperson said.

"It is alleged that the bird was taken from the wild and kept unlawfully, with no permit, licence or authority being issued by DESI," the spokesperson said.

Ms Wells said she made the toughest decision of her life to hand over a "wild bird to be in captivity".

"Yes, we may have been a little naive in the beginning but we have done our best to rectify this from the moment we found a little sick bird to this day," she said.

"Molly was always free to come and go as he pleased, but he chose to stay close," the couple said on Facebook.

"He was fully self-sufficient and we provided only a few snacks of mealworms and crickets for him when he was around."

Queensland Premier Steven Miles weighed in on March 27 and backed calls for Molly to be returned to the couple's home.

"I know [the authorities] take their responsibilities under the law very seriously but I think in these circumstances there's room for some flexibility," he said.

"I hope that my support for them can help their campaign and get Molly back home."

The DESI spokesperson said the magpie was under its care and could not be released back into the wild as it had been "highly habituated to human contact".

"A process is currently underway to have the magpie placed at a suitable facility," the spokesperson said.

"Animals that are sick, orphaned or injured must go to a person who holds a valid rehabilitation permit, which are issued to people who have demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience dealing with and caring for native animals."

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