Molly the magpie: QLD Government rules internet-famous bird can stay with Gold Coast carers

Molly the magpie is now ‘free as a bird’, to live out his days on the Gold Coast with Staffordshire terrier pals Peggy and Ruby after a surprising move by the Queensland Government.

Common sense finally prevailed as the long-running saga of the internet-famous bird came to a happy end this week.

The Government confirmed Molly would no longer be seized from his carers, despite a licence to house the bird being overturned late last year.

Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen rescued the magpie when he fell from a nest in 2020, and he soon formed a wholesome relationship with their dogs Peggy and Ruby.

Molly — first thought to be a she but now known to be a he — found fame after the couple created their Instagram page PeggyandMolly, posting adorable photos of his exploits with their dogs. The page now boasts a huge following, with close to one million fans watching the trio’s day-to-day antics.

Now, after a year of ups and downs and a legal battle to decide the bird’s fate, his carers finally have the answer they’ve always wanted.

Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell has now described Molly as “a wild bird”.

“We’re not seizing the bird,” Mr Powell told the ABC.

“My understanding is from the briefs I have received from my department … is the bird is free to come and go, in essence it is wild … and therefore a permit isn’t required.”

The fate of Molly has gripped the nation since March last year, after Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen were forced to surrender him to authorities following complaints over the lack of a permit.

Eventually, after 45 “heartbreaking” days Molly was reunited with his carers, once The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation approved a specialised licence, and the couple agreed they would not profit from the magpie or its image.

But not all in the wildlife community were happy with the arrangement and the Queensland Supreme Court overturned the licence in November, due to a legal battle brought by an unnamed wildlife rescue volunteer who believed Molly should be free.

The new ruling now puts and end to all the heartache for the couple and their feathery friend.

Mr Powell added the department was reviewing its legislation, saying “the whole Molly the magpie episode has certainly shone a spotlight on our laws and legislation”.

“I and my department are looking at them to work out what needs to be improved to make sure this kind of situation doesn’t happen again.”

Ms Wells and Mr Mortenson were reportedly distraught over the legal challenge and permit saga, and have only ever wanted the best for the bird.

“Molly’s 100 per cent, and always has been, our focus,” Mr Mortensen told A Current Affair in September.

“Molly’s happy, healthy and alive. Bossy, barking and being Molly.”

The couple are yet to comment on the happy development.