Concern after ‘ominous’ post about celebrity bird Molly the magpie

Followers of famous Queensland pet magpie Molly, who hangs out with Peggy the staffy, feared the worst after a concerning post was uploaded.

Fans of Molly the magpie have raised concerns the bird might be peril after what some deemed a concerning and “ominous’ social media post.

Molly lives on the Gold Coast with Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen. The bird’s antics with their pet Staffordshire bull terrier Peggy have amassed 950,000 followers on the “PeggyandMolly” Instagram page.

The pair can often be seen playing together or simply snuggling up close. Molly has never been caged or forced to remain inside.

The family took the bird in as a nestling during 2020. But earlier this year, Peggy and Molly were briefly split up after Queensland’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) took the bird into care.

On Sunday, the PeggyandMolly account uploaded what appeared to be a digitally doctored image of the bird and dog looking at one another with the caption: “You have a special place in my heart”.

Some saw the caption as a worrying sign that all was not well with Molly or Peggy.

“This is really ominous. Has someone passed away?” asked one.

“I didn’t quite understand the message of this photograph, is something wrong?” said another.

However others who follow the account were frustrated at the image and how vague it was.

“It’s not fair to post something suggesting that one of them passed away. It’s not fair at all to make us feel sorry and sad.”

“Why make it sound like one of them has died? And why Photoshop a picture of them together when there are plenty of real pictures of them together?” said another.

The social media post that concerned m, any. Picture: Instagram.

The page replied to one commenter saying: “Nothing happened. Just a flashback photo which captures a special moment in time of the precious bond these animals have”.

That didn’t answer the question as to why this “flashback photo” was clearly doctored.

“(The photo) really did capture the moment,” came another reply from the page.

A day later a further post was uploaded to settle the concerns. It showed Molly, Peggy, and the owners’ other dog Ruby, together with the bird mimicking the barks of the dogs.

“Many have been asking how Peggy, Molly and Ruby are.

“They are doing well and have settled back into their everyday adventures while still enjoying their own time away from each other”.

The bird and dog are often seen together. Picture: Instagram.

The pair appear to enjoy one another’s company. Picture: Facebook / Peggy and Molly.

In March, DESI took Molly from the family following concerns they lacked the training or proper licence to care for it.

In Queensland, magpies and other wildlife protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, can only be cared for by licensed carers, who have demonstrated to the department that they have the skills necessary to provide the necessary specialist care.

The government department said its priority was to ensure the bird was safe, undergoing rehabilitation and had full access to a vet.

Several weeks later, DESI said Molly could be returned to the family but only under strict conditions chief if which was applying for a licence to care for the bird.

Other conditions included agreeing to not profit from the bird and to undertake wildlife care training.

A book featuring Molly is being advertised on the pets’ Instagram page.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles even became involved and announced the bird’s return personally.

“This morning the Department has advised me that the couple can secure the appropriate licence. The team will work with them now to do that,” Mr Miles wrote.

“Its good news and means Molly can come home very soon.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has written to me to share their concerns and advocate for Molly’s return.”

Originally published as Concern after ‘ominous’ post about celebrity bird Molly the magpie