Molly the Magpie returned to carers Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen

The Gold Coast carers of Insta-famous Molly the Magpie have opened up on the moment he saw his best friend Peggy after 45 days in government custody. Full details.

Molly the Magpie has been returned to his carers, 45 days after he was surrendered to Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) officials.

In a statement on Monday, DESI said the magpie – made famous on social media for its friendship with a Staffordshire bull terrier named Peggy – had been returned to Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen after they agreed to meet a number of conditions.

An image from the Peggy and Molly page. Picture: Facebook / Peggy and Molly.

“The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) has approved a specialised licence and today returned ‘Molly’ the magpie to a couple who took it in as a nestling in 2020,” the statement said.

“Independent expert veterinary advice has shown that Molly, who was surrendered to the department on 1 March, is highly habituated and may have developmental issues, meaning it can never be rehabilitated or returned to the wild.

“The decision to return Molly has been made in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act 1992, following extensive legal advice.”

An image from the Peggy and Molly page. Picture: Facebook / Peggy and Molly.

Ms Wells and Ms Mortensen confimed the news to 1.2 million followers on their official Peggy and Molly Facebook page.

“We are overwhelmed with emotion right now,” they wrote.

“I have been visualising and looking forward to this day for what feels like a lifetime.

“It was a very exciting reunion at the Dept this morning for us with a little cry of happiness from Molly.

“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 DESI for allowing us to get our licence and to be reunited with Molly again. ️

“We look forward to life settling back down to normal very soon.”

Molly the magpie has been reunited with his Gold Coast family Picture: Peggy and Molly Facebook page

DESI said the conditions agreed to by the couple included:

* No ongoing commercial gain from the bird or its image.

* Undertaking wildlife carer training.

* Ongoing engagement with DESI to ensure the bird is receiving adequate care and enrichment.

“These conditions are standard for all specialised licences held by wildlife carers in Queensland and ensure the best outcome for the bird’s ongoing health and wellbeing,” they said.

“DESI has also required the family undertake an advocacy and public education role be performed to encourage people to appropriately care for native wildlife and acknowledging the specialist skills required to care for and rehabilitate wildlife.”

Molly’s return follows a huge social media campaign after news of his surrender broke, which won the support of Queensland Premier Steven Miles.

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