Heartbreaking update after authorities seized Molly the Magpie - as wildlife ... trends now
The former owners of a world-famous magpie have shared an emotional plea to have the bird returned home.
Molly the magpie became a social media phenomenon when wildlife enthusiast Juliette Wells and her partner Reese Mortenson documented the unlikely 'interspecies friendship' between the bird and their pair of Staffordshire terriers, Peggy and Ruby.
But Ms Wells and Mr Mortenson, who live in Coomera on the Gold Coast, were left heartbroken on 1 March when authorities seized Molly over allegations the bird was being 'kept unlawfully'.
Now, Ms Wells has made a heartbreaking plea to have Molly returned home, pleading for a 'positive outcome'.
Molly the magpie became a global phenomenon when wildlife enthusiast Juliette Wells and her partner Reese Mortenson documented the unlikely 'interspecies friendship' between the bird and their pair of Staffordshire terriers, Peggy and Ruby (pictured together)
The heartbroken couple claimed that the above picture was 'amongst some of the last photos we took of these three together'
'They came and told us they wanted to take you away,' she said in a voiceover to a video of Molly, who is actually male, playing with Peggy and Ruby in their garden.
'We couldn’t even picture what that would be like. I will never forget that day.'
'If Molly had a voice what would he say? If Molly had a choice where would he stay?'
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.
It comes a few days after Queensland Premier Steven Miles waded into the row amid a public outcry, giving his backing to an emotional trans-species reunion.
'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 on Thursday.
Mr Miles said he wanted authorities to help the family get a permit and rejected suggestions that the decision would set a bad precedent.
'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.
