{"id":2174270,"date":"2024-04-02T12:00:18","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T10:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2174270"},"modified":"2024-03-30T09:56:29","modified_gmt":"2024-03-30T08:56:29","slug":"aussies-get-in-a-flap-as-instagram-famous-magpie-molly-who-was-rescued-as-a-chick-and-raised-for-years-by-a-family-alongside-their-staffie-peggy-is-seized-by-authorities-on-welfare-grounds-10000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/aussies-get-in-a-flap-as-instagram-famous-magpie-molly-who-was-rescued-as-a-chick-and-raised-for-years-by-a-family-alongside-their-staffie-peggy-is-seized-by-authorities-on-welfare-grounds-10000\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussies get in a flap as Instagram-famous magpie Molly – who was rescued as a chick and raised for years by a family alongside their Staffie Peggy – is SEIZED by authorities on welfare grounds: 100,000 sign petition calling for bird’s freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australian authorities have ordered the seizure of a magpie after the famous internet bird formed an adorable friendship with a Staffordshire bull terrier.<\/p>\n

Molly the magpie was found as a lonely chick in a park four years ago by Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, of Queensland, before they brought the bird home to look after him.<\/p>\n

The pair introduced Molly to their Staffy, Peggy, and the two formed an unlikely but special bond.<\/p>\n

Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen posted photographs showing Molly and Peggy playing together in the park, lying on the floor together and seemingly being the best of friends – with the two animals gathering nearly two million followers on Instagram and Facebook.<\/p>\n

However, animal welfare experts objected to Molly’s housing arrangement, saying it is illegal to take a bird from its natural habitat without permission.<\/p>\n

\"Juliette<\/a>
Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen (pictured) found Molly in the wild when he was a chick, and didn’t think he would survive on his own<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The magpie was then confiscated by officials from Queensland’s environment department on March 1 – leaving his human carers heartbroken.<\/p>\n

It came after a ‘small group of people’ complained about Molly living with the family as a pet, according to Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen.<\/p>\n

More than 700,00 people have signed a petition to have Molly returned to the family.<\/p>\n

One message on Instagram read: ‘This is a classic example of bureaucracy over common sense and humanity.’<\/p>\n

Premier of Queensland, Steven Miles, echoed the calls for Molly to be reunited with Peggy, saying: ‘I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail. If you look at the story, there is a better outcome possible.’<\/p>\n

Queensland’s environment department said magpies should not be removed from their natural habitat or kept as pets.<\/p>\n

Officials from Queensland’s Department of Science, Environment and Innovation (DESI) had concerns the couple had no permit to keep the bird which they claimed belongs in the wild.<\/p>\n

Premier Miles has waded into the row amid a public outcry and given his backing to an emotional trans-species reunion.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The pair introduced Molly to their Staffy, Peggy, and the two formed an unlikely but special bond<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ms<\/a>
Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen posted photographs showing Molly and Peggy playing together and lying on the floor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

‘The environment department stands ready to train Molly’s parents to be wildlife carers, to get that certification, so Molly can be reunited with the family,’ Premier Miles said.<\/p>\n

Mr Miles said he wanted authorities to help the family get a permit and rejected suggestions that the decision would set a bad precedent.<\/p>\n

‘What I’m most interested in here is what’s in the best interests of that animal, and if the department can work with the family to reunite them in a way that is legal, I would support that,’ he added.<\/p>\n

‘I don’t want to see any of the rules broken, but there has to be a way within the rules to see Molly live out a happy life with [his] family.’<\/p>\n

On Wednesday night Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen said they were concerned for Molly’s welfare in government captivity.<\/p>\n

‘We’ve had Molly around us and the dogs for many years. And to not have him around – the house is so quiet. We miss him a lot,’ Ms Wells said.<\/p>\n

‘I actually don’t know where Molly is. I don’t know if he’s doing ok.’<\/p>\n

This article<\/a> by Katherine Lawton was first published by The Daily Mail on 29 March 2024. Lead Image:\u00a0Molly the magpie with Peggy the Staffordshire bull terrier, who he befriended after being adopted by two humans as a lonely chick.<\/em><\/p>\n

What you can do<\/h2>\n

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