First photo of Insta-famous Molly the Magpie as it is set to be returned to family under a few conditions

The bird’s owners have shared the first photo of the magpie, with a touching poem as they wait to be reunited.

The first photo of a famous magpie has been released after it was revealed the bird is due to be reunited with a Queensland family after a long and gruelling campaign.

Australians have been captivated for weeks after Molly the Magpie was surrendered to the state government on March 1, following concerns its adopted family lacked the training to care for it.

The bird’s owners Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen have amassed more than 800,000 followers on the Instagram account dedicated to the magpies unlikely friendship with their pet staffy dog Peggy.

The family took the bird in as a nestling during 2020 when he fell from a nest.

Molly the magpie continued to live in the family’s backyard, forming a relationship with the two dogs.

On Thursday, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation announced the bird would be returned to the family after more than a month in their care, though with a few important conditions.

The couple shared the “first photo” of Molly on Friday morning, which was taken by carers at the facility where Molly is being held.

The first photo of Molly the magpie — a social media sensation known for his fun relationship with two dogs — has been released by carers at the facility where he is being held. Picture: Instagram

The owners are excited to have Molly return home.

“After 43 days,” the Instagram post said.

“Tears started rolling.”

They also shared a poem they had written for Molly.

“They came and told us they wanted to take you away,” the poem reads.

“We couldn’t even picture what that would look like?

“I will never forget that day.

“If Molly had a voice what would he say?

“If Molly had a choice where would he stay?

“The silence has been broken.

“People have awoken.

“I haven’t been placed on this Earth to hide.

“Let me soar again and be your guide.

“In unity and harmony you will see,

“What the world needs right now is Peggy, Ruby and me.”

The Gold Coast family said they are eager to see Molly “very soon”.

Peggy and Molly the Magpie will be reunited after she was surrendered to the government on March 1. Picture: Instagram

A DESI spokesperson on Thursday said Molly’s return hinges on the family applying for a licence and agreeing with a range of conditions to ensure “the best outcome for the animal’s ongoing health and wellbeing”.

Some of the conditions for her return include:

• No ongoing commercial gain from the bird or its image.
• Undertaking wildlife carer training.
• Advocating public education to encourage people to appropriately care for native wildlife and acknowledging the specialist skills required to care for and rehabilitate wildlife.
• Ongoing engagement with DESI to ensure the bird is receiving adequate care and enrichment.

The staffy and magpie share an unlikely friendship. Picture: Facebook / Peggy and Molly.

The family claims the staffy has been beside itself since Molly left. Picture: Facebook / Peggy and Molly.

Molly will be returned once the couple have demonstrated that they can and will meet the conditions, the DESI spokesperson said.

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 decision to return Molly was made with the guidance of an independent veterinary expert who determined the bird was “highly habituated” and may have “developmental issues”, meaning it could never be rehabilitated or returned to the wild.

The owners shared an update to their Instagram page on Thursday morning saying their “hearts are full of happiness” after talking with Queensland Premier Steven Miles.

“We want to thank Steven Miles for showing unity & humanity in taking this issue on,” the Instagram caption read.

“We will be speaking to the [department] today to finalise the next steps to bringing Molly home.”

They said they have had a “hole in our hearts that would never heal,” since Molly was surrendered to the government, and reflected on the public attention they have received as a result.

The department will return Molly once the family meets a few conditions. Picture: Facebook / Peggy and Molly.

The family have issued a statement. Picture: Facebook / Peggy and Molly.

“We have become a meme, an interview question & the topic of conversation around the world,” the post said.

“We have be harassed, defamed & bullied by a small minority of people.”

However, they wanted to thank the community for their support and campaigning to help bring Molly home.

“We want to thank you the people for your voices, for standing by us & making this happen,” the post said.

It is not yet known when Molly will be returned.

Originally published as First photo of Insta-famous Molly the Magpie as it is set to be returned to family under a few conditions