‘Horrible’: Nation’s fury after magpie taken from family

Devastated Aussies have slammed the decision to tear an internet famous magpie from his Queensland family and unlikely dog best friend.

Aussies have slammed a decision by Queensland authorities to seize an internet-famous magpie from a family who rescued him as a chick and nursed him back to health.

Molly the magpie became an online sensation after Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen rescued the bird and shared her unlikely friendship with their English staffy, Peggy, on social media.

Molly – who has never been caged or been forced to stay inside – forged a heartwarming bond with the dog, with the pair often seen eating and playing together in videos shared online.

Their cross-animal friendship even inspired a heartwarming book about the pair.

Molly and Peggy became best friends after the magpie was rescued. Picture: Instagram / @peggyandmolly

Their friendship has warmed hearts around the world. Picture: Instagram / @peggyandmolly

However, after three years with Ms Wells’ and Mr Mortensen’s family, the couple shared the “devastating” news on Wednesday that they had to surrender Molly.

“It breaks out heart to make this announcement today. We had to surrender Molly … as we had a small group of people constantly complaining to them,” Ms Wells told their over 700,000 Instagram followers.

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) confirmed to News.com.au that the bird has been seized mid allegations he was being “kept unlawfully”, with a process currently in place to “have the magpie placed at a suitable facility”.

“A magpie that was allegedly being unlawfully kept by members of the public was voluntarily surrendered to the Department on Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) on Friday 1 March,” a spokesperson from DESI said in a statement.

“It is alleged that the bird was taken from the wild and kept unlawfully, with no permit, licence or authority being issued by DESI.”

The news has sent shockwaves online, with many devastated Aussies taking to social media to slam the “horrible” bureaucratic decision which has ripped apart two best mates.

“Absolutely shocked at the actions of the QLD government. Talk about overreach!!! What an abysmal decision!!!” one person wrote on X.

“This is horrible and pointless,” said another.

“The world’s gone crazy, I used to love these two together cause they have a genuine bond,” another wrote.

“This is so sad – why take Molly away – she lives outside, she’s not ‘trapped’ inside … This woman has done nothing wrong!” said another.

The pair were often seen playing together online. Picture: Instagram / @peggyandmolly

Photo from when Molly and Peggy first met. Picture: Instagram / @peggyandmolly

Others also expressed concern for Molly given magpies are highly territorial.

“To add insult to injury, anyone who knows anything about Magpies knows they are highly territorial creatures of habit. They should not be moved,” one person wrote.

“Please return Molly to his family where he’s comfortable, loved and cherished. He will otherwise die of loneliness,” another pleaded.

Speaking to A Current Affair on Wednesday night, Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen said their house has become “so quiet” without Molly around.
The couple reiterated the bird could come and go from their house as he pleased, and there were no issues between Molly, Peggy and the Staffy's puppy, Ruby.

“He had the best of both worlds. He was living outside, he was hanging with his friends outside, he was hunting and gathering on his own. He’d come occasionally for snacks but then he’d come back and say g’day,” said Mr Mortensen.

“The day the wildlife officers came for us to surrender him, he wasn’t here so they left without him.”

“The day Juliette surrendered him he flew in the morning, then Juliette put him in the crate and took him down to Burleigh and surrendered him.”

Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen with Peggy, Ruby and Molly. Picture: Supplied.

The pair are calling for him to be returned so he can “grow old” with their family.

Their supporters have now started petitions calling for Molly’s return.

The beloved magpie is currently seized while authorities find a “suitable facility” for her, due to the bird being too domesticated to be released back into the wild, DESI said in their statement to news.com.au.

“The magpie is currently under the care of DESI. Unfortunately, it has been highly habituated to human contact and is not capable of being released back into the wild,”

“A process is currently underway to have the magpie placed at a suitable facility.”

The matter is still be investigated.