Peggy and Molly: Magpie surrendered to Dept of Environment, investigation launched
There has been a major development in the case of insta-famous Molly the Magpie, who was controversially surrendered to authorities. Full details.
Gold Coast
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The carers of a magpie named Molly controversially surrendered to wildlife officers say they are “relieved” after receiving an update on the case on Tuesday.
The fate of the magpie, made famous on social media by the popular Molly and Peggy account, made worldwide headlines after news broke of its surrender to Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) officials.
It is illegal to keep native wildlife in Queensland without a permit.
Carers Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen appealed to the almost two million followers of the account on social media to help them win the return of Molly, enlisting the support of Premier Steven Miles in the process.
In a message to supporters on Tuesday, accompanied with a video clip of dog Ruby with a magpie teddy, the couple said they had now been contacted by the department.
“We have an exciting update,” they said. “After contacting the office of the Queensland Premier Steven Miles we received a long-awaited phone call from someone who works closely with the Director General of the Department of Environment, Science & Innovation (DESI).
“To say we are relieved is an understatement.”
The pair said they had been assured that Molly was safe and well, but still did not know where he was being kept.
“We were told he was healthy, happy and in good spirits,” they said. “We weren’t told of his location to protect his safety.”
On Thursday last week Mr Miles told media DESI “stands ready” to train the couple so that Molly could be legally returned to them, while the department said it was “considering options” under the Nature Conservation Act.
The couple said this had been confirmed to them in their contact with the department on Tuesday.
“We weren’t given too much detail but we were assured that DESI are currently looking at options to proceed with what the Premier had suggested,” they said.
“The legalities of the situation is not an easy fix and it’s a process through legal frameworks.
“We will be contacted again by the end of the week with the process and updates.”
PLEA TO END ONLINE ABUSE, THREATS
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) have pleaded for an end to the abuse and threats directed at staff and wildlife carers over the case of a magpie made famous on social media.
Molly the magpie, who is one half of bird and canine duo Peggy and Molly which has gained a following of millions on social media, was voluntarily surrendered to DESI officials on March 1.
A DESI spokesperson said that under Queensland legislation it was unlawful to care for a magpie without a permit.
An enormous social media and letter-writing campaign was unleashed after news of Molly’s surrender was broken on Tuesday March 26, with carers Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen urging supporters in a video message to demand an investigation into DESI officers’ handling of the matter.
The campaign won the support of Queensland Premier Steven Miles, while the story was reported worldwide by organisations including the BBC.
However it has also seen a torrent of abusive emails and social media messages, including death threats, directed at DESI staff and wildlife volunteers blamed by online trolls for Molly’s surrender.
On Friday, DESI called for the abuse to stop.
“The Department acknowledges the voluntary surrender of the magpie is an emotive issue,” a spokesperson said.
“We are aware that experienced, passionate wildlife carers and staff have been subjected to threats and abuse. This abuse is unacceptable, and it must stop.
“Our priority is the ongoing welfare of the magpie, and the bird is safe, undergoing rehabilitation and has full access to veterinary care.”
In a social media post on Thursday, Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen also called on supporters to refrain from abusive messages.
“We do please ask that you do not spread hate or fear on these people as I know of one person who made a mistake of putting her name out in one of the articles and is in fear of her safety and her families safety,” they said.
“Please use the example that these three best friends shared to the world and use your time and energy into helping come up with a positive outcome for Molly the famous magpie.”
On Thursday Mr Miles said DESI “stands ready” to train the couple so that Molly could be legally returned to them.
However on Friday morning Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen said they had yet to hear from the department, while DESI said it was “considering options”.
“Regarding the future care arrangements of the bird, DESI is considering options under the Nature Conservation Act 1992,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Miles told media he was not aware of the abuse and death threats.
“I’m not aware of that and obviously we would never want to see that kind of harassing content online,” he said.
“What I’m aware of is the effort to reunite Molly with her family”.
Asked what department officials thought of his support for the campaign to return Molly, Mr Miles said it had not been raised with him.
“I haven’t heard from them, but I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail and in this instance ensuring they can legally take care of Molly is the best outcome for Molly as well as the family.”
Asked if he had effectively thrown his officials “under the bus”, Mr Miles replied that he was entitled to voice his opinion.
“I’m asked a lot of questions every single day and what I will always do is tell Queenslanders what I think,” he said.
“What I answered yesterday is what I thought.
“Clearly it’s not my decision. These officers are independent from me. But I’m entitled to have an opinion. And that’s what I gave yesterday.”
PATH CLEARED FOR MOLLY’S RETURN
The path has been cleared for Molly the Magpie to be reunited with his ‘family’, with Premier Steven Miles revealing the Department of Environment is ready to train his carers to legally take care of him.
Molly was voluntarily surrendered to officers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) on March 1.
A DESI spokesperson said it was unlawful to care for a magpie without a permit.
Speaking in Dreamworld on the Gold Coast on Thursday, where he urged Queenslanders to buy chocolate bilbies for Easter, Mr Miles said officers stood ready to provide training to Molly’s carers Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen so he could be lawfully returned to them.
“The environment department stands ready to train Molly’s parents to be wildlife carers, to get them that certification so that Molly can be reunited with their family,” Mr Miles said.
“What I’m suggesting now is that we work with them to get them that permit so that Molly can be reunited with his family.”
Mr Miles denied suggestions that allowing the couple to be reunited with Molly would set a precedent which went against laws protecting native wildlife.
“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 then I would support that,” he said.
“I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail and in this instance ensuring that they can legally take care of Molly is the best outcome for Molly.
“I think if you look at the story there is a better outcome possible. I don’t want to see any of the rules broken, but there has to be a way within the rules to see Molly live out a happy life with her family.”
On Wednesday night Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen, who had amassed a large social media following for an account detailing the life of Molly with their pet dog Peggy, said they were concerned for the welfare of the magpie since he was surrendered.
“We’ve had Molly around us and the dogs for many years. And to not have him around - the house is so quiet. We miss him a lot,” Ms Wells said.
“I actually don’t know where Molly is. I don’t know if he’s doing ok.”
Sources told the Bulletin Molly was in good health and doing well.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, a DESI spokesperson said the department shared the desire of the public to ensure Molly was well cared for.
“The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation is aware of community interest in Molly the Magpie, who was voluntarily surrendered to the department on March 1,” the spokesperson said.
“The department shares the community’s desire to ensure Molly is cared for in the most appropriate way going forward.”
MOLLY CARERS SPEAK OUT IN EMOTIONAL INTERVIEW
The couple behind the popular Peggy and Molly social media account have spoken of their fears for their beloved magpie friend after he was surrendered to wildlife authorities.
Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen amassed more than one million followers on Facebook and 700,000 on Instagram for their posts detailing the interaction between magpie Molly and Staffordshire bull terrier Peggy.
The couple homed Molly after finding the magpie “lost, weak and frightened” when out walking their dog in 2020.
Molly was voluntarily surrendered to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) officials on March 1, with a spokesperson has said it was unlawful to care for a magpie without a permit.
However in an emotional interview on Wednesday night with A Current Affair, the couple appealed for officials to return Molly to them, saying he was badly missed.
“We’ve had Molly around us and the dogs for many years. And to not have him around - the house is so quiet. We miss him a lot,” Ms Wells said.
“I actually don’t know where Molly is. I don’t know if he’s doing ok.”
Mr Mortensen said the Molly had been happy before being taken into care, having “bonded” with Peggy.
“He had the best of both worlds. He was hunting and gathering on his own. He’d come occasionally for snacks, but then he’d come back and say G’Day,” he said.
“The day that the wildlife officers come for us to surrender him, Molly wasn’t here, so they left without him. And the day that Juliette surrendered him to the wildlife, he flew in that morning and then Juliette put him in the crate and drove him down to Burleigh and surrendered him.
“Let Molly come back here. Let him grow old and bring his family and we won’t show him on social media.”
Despite the release of a book, Peggy and Molly themed merchandise and a GoFundMe appeal to help the couple secure a home, they denied profiting from their social media page.
“(It’s) bugger all. Not a living at all,” Mr Mortensen said. “You couldn’t really live off any sort of money that you’d make from it. We didn’t go out and make it fully commercial.
“We could have. We could have been making millions by now. We could have been living in a penthouse on Sovereign Island somewhere.”
In a statement on Wednesday evening, a DESI spokesperson said the department shared the desire of the public to ensure Molly was well cared for.
“The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation is aware of community interest in Molly the Magpie, who was voluntarily surrendered to the department on March 1,” the spokesperson said.
“The department shares the community’s desire to ensure Molly is cared for in the most appropriate way going forward.”
WILDLIFE CARER SUBJECT OF DEATH THREATS FROM ONLINE TROLLS
A wildlife carer accused of involvement in complaints sparking the surrender of magpie Molly to authorities – separating her from pet pooch pal Peggy – is facing vile online abuse.
Cat Coake has been subject of multiple death threats and threats of violence by members of the public after being linked to complaints that led to an investigation by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI).
It is understood the first complaints to the department were made almost a year ago, but Ms Coake told the Bulletin she had only been in contact with the department regarding the case in the last three months.
The life of the magpie at the centre of the case was chronicled in an Instagram account called Peggy and Molly run by Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen which gathered more than 700,000 followers.
The couple homed Molly after finding the magpie “lost, weak and frightened” when out walking their dog in 2020.
Molly was voluntarily surrendered to DESI officials on March 1.
Ms Coake was on Wednesday subject to a vicious social media pile-on from random members of the public, including comments too graphic to be published
“It’s just not right,” Ms Coake said.
“I’m just the one that has most recently said, ‘this has got to stop guys’.
“So I’m the last one in. Not that it matters, because I’m a 110 per cent behind the law being as it is.”
Speaking through tears Ms Coake said online trolls had even reached her son, who had nothing to do with it.
“I’m really upset because my son has just had threats, which is just ridiculous,” she said.
“I’ve had to close everything (social media accounts) down.”
The Bulletin does not suggest Ms Wells or Mr Mortensen had any involvement in the abuse directed at the wildlife carer, nor is there any suggestion they endorse such views.
The couple have instead appealed to followers to write letters of protest to their local MP Michael Crandon, and the DESI Director General.
Ms Coake, an unpaid wildlife volunteer on the Gold Coast for 22 years, said she bore no ill will towards the couple, but was concerned to ensure the right thing was done by wildlife.
“You don’t do that stuff. They’re not pets,” she said.
“As a wildlife carer we collect so many of them that people have tried to keep as pets.
“I don’t know them (the couple). I’m not out to get them.”
A DESI spokesperson has said it was unlawful to care for a magpie without a permit.
An online petition has also been launched by supporters of the couple asking authorities reconsider their decision to take Molly into care.
At time of writing the petition had more than 7000 signatures.
Premier Steven Miles on Wednesday also threw his weight behind the campaign, saying he had “some sympathy” for people supporting the movement for Molly.
“I know our environment department, I used to be their minister, I know they take their responsibilities under the law very seriously but in these circumstances, there’s room for some flexibility,” he said.
“I just urge them to work with Molly’s carers to get the necessary wildlife carer training so that she can get back home.”
The Premier conceded “I don’t have the power to reverse the decision” when asked if he would personally step in to reunite Molly with her pal.
“In fact, in most areas, you’d be surprised at the limits on my powers,” Mr Miles said.
“I can’t free Molly the magpie but I hope that my support for that campaign can encourage the hard working officers of the Department of Environment to work with the carer and get Molly back home.”
The Bulletin has attempted to reach Ms Wells for comment.
WE’RE DEVASTATED: COUPLE DETERMINED TO GET MOLLY BACK
The couple behind the popular Peggy and Molly Instagram page have called on their more than 700,000 followers to help them get magpie Molly back after they were forced to surrender it to authorities.
In a video message, Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen said they and pet dogs Peggy and Ruby were “devastated” to lose the magpie and called for an investigation into how the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) handled the matter.
“The department of environmental science turned up on our door on the 13th of June wanting us to surrender Molly,” Ms Wells said.
“We refused as he was thriving in the trees surrounding our property and had been accepted here.
“And after long discussions they left and we thought everything was ok.
“ ... We are devastated to give you this news, and of course also these beautiful girls (the dogs) because they have lost their best friend.”
Molly was ultimately voluntarily surrendered to department officials earlier this month.
“A magpie that was allegedly being unlawfully kept by members of the public was voluntarily surrendered to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) on Friday 1 March,” a spokesperson said.
“It is alleged that the bird was taken from the wild and kept unlawfully, with no permit, licence or authority being issued by DESI.”
Mr Mortensen said the couple had attempted to work with the department before surrendering Molly.
“We did everything in our power to work with the department including training and also me obtaining my wildlife permit, which after a period of time I had to retract my application as it was a bit of a conflict to our page,” he said.
The couple have now launched a campaign to get Molly back, urging followers to write to their local MP, Michael Crandon, and the DESI Director General.
Mr Mortensen said supporters should demand an investigation be opened into DESI officers’ handling of the situation.
The DESI spokesperson said native animals were protected under a 1992 Act.
“All Queensland native animals are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. To keep a native animal that originates from the wild, a person must have a permit, licence or authority to lawfully have the animal in their possession,” they said.
“Animals that are sick, orphaned or injured must go to a person who holds a valid rehabilitation permit, which are issued to people who have demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience dealing with and caring for native animals.”
The spokesperson added that wild animals “must stay wild”, but it would not be possible to release Molly back into the wild due to behaviours she had developed.
“The purpose of rehabilitating native wildlife is to provide care so that the animal can be released back to the wild. When an animal is being rehabilitated, it must be done in a way that minimises humanisation and allows it to exhibit natural instincts and behaviour,” the spokesperson said.
“Animals in rehabilitation must not associate with domestic animals due to the potential for them to be subjected to stress and the risks of behavioural imprinting and transmission of diseases. Animals from the wild, must stay wild.
“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 spokesperson said investigations into the matter were ongoing and it would be “inappropriate” to comment about “potential compliance outcomes”.
The couple had amassed a following of more than 700,000 people their Instagram page detailing the life of Molly and Staffordshire bull terrier Peggy.
The pair were said to have formed an unlikely bond after Ms Wells said she found the young magpie wandering “lost, weak and frightened” while out walking her dog in September 2020.
The story was turned into a book titled Peggy and Molly released by publisher Penguin in November.
Tens of thousands of dollars were also raised for Ms Wells and partner Reece Mortensen to purchase a home in a GoFundMe campaign in March 2022 after it was revealed their landlord was not renewing their lease.
The Bulletin has attempted to contact Ms Wells and publisher Penguin for comment.
Originally published as Peggy and Molly: Magpie surrendered to Dept of Environment, investigation launched
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