Shattered 'parents' of Instagram star Molly the magpie fight back tears as they ... trends now
A Queensland couple behind an Instagram page that made Molly the magpie a star have made an emotional plea to authorities to return the bird to their home.
Molly became a global phenomenon when wildlife enthusiast Juliette Wells and Reese Mortensen, from Coomera on the northern Gold Coast, told the story online of the unlikely friendship between the magpie and their Staffordshire terrier pet dogs, Peggy and Ruby.
The trio shot to fame, attracting two million followers across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and starred in a book filled with photos of the unlikely companions, as fans gushed over the 'very special' relationship between the three animals.
However, authorities said the native bird could not be kept without a licence and seized the animal.
In a new video, Ms Wells appeared to fight back tears as she said the decision had left the couple 'devastated', with the dogs losing their 'best friend'.
She said the the Department of Environmental Science and Innovation (DESI) had first shown up on June 13 last year and wanted them to surrender Molly.
'We refused as he was thriving in the trees surrounding our property and had been accepted here.' she said.
Juliette Wells and Reese Mortensen have said they are 'devastated' that magpie Molly had been seized and that their dogs Peggy and Ruby missed their 'best friend'
The trio shot to stardom, attracting two million followers across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and the blogger even published a book filled with photos of the 'unlikely companions'
After a discussion the department officials left and they assumed they were allowed to keep the bird but they later returned and Molly was 'voluntarily' surrendered earlier this month.
'We did everything in our power to work with the department including training...' Mr Mortensen said.
Do you think Molly the magpie should have been taken from its 'owners'?
YES 280 votes NO 2391 votesNow share your opinion
The couple are now asking their followers to write an email to local MP Michael Crandon and the director-general of DESI to review the decision to seize Molly and launch an investigation into how DESI officers handled the case.
Molly was seized on March 1, with DESI confirming that a magpie was 'voluntarily surrendered' to officials.
'It is alleged that the bird was taken from the wild and kept unlawfully, with no permit, licence or authority being issued by DESI,' a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.
Commenters on the video shared their outrage over Molly being seized by authorities.
'This is a classic example of bureaucracy over common sense and humanity. Our tax-payer funded departments should be using their resources to help out the
