Molly the magpie's first 24 hours at home with her canine and human best friends

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by themickey, Apr 16, 2024.

  1. themickey

    themickey

    ABC Gold Coast / By Alexandria Utting Posted 2 hours ago
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04...es-with-dog-friend-peggy-the-staffy/103733080
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    Molly comes home.(Supplied: Instagram)

    Everything is as it should be in Peggy and Molly's world again.

    After more than six weeks apart, the Insta-famous magpie and its best dog mate are back together at home on the Gold Coast — singing and sunning themselves like old times.

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    Best friends forever: Molly and Peggy back together again.(Supplied by Juliette Wells)

    In a heartwarming video posted to their thousands-strong social media following, Molly the magpie can be seen arriving home, where it is greeted by a waggy-tailed Peggy the Staffordshire terrier.

    The short montage of the bird's first "24 hours home" features Molly sitting on a branch showing off her signature bark, charging around the house with her wings out and having a bath.

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    Molly the magpie is back at home with carer Juliette Wells and her best mates Peggy and Ruby.(Supplied: The Connect Agency)

    Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen voluntarily surrendered Molly to The Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) earlier this year after authorities found the couple did not have the required permit to care for native wildlife.

    Ms Wells has said the pair rescued the bird as a fledgling in 2020 and raised it alongside Peggy and their other pet dog, Ruby.

    The unlikely friendship that blossomed between Peggy and Molly was dubbed a "real life Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet" story, and has seen the animals' interactions garner hordes of followers online and later secure a book deal.

    After a sustained campaign to reunite the dog and its avian friend, which saw Premier Steven Miles and pro-surfer Kelly Slater throw their support behind the cause, authorities worked with the couple to ensure they could obtain the required permits to care for Molly.

    'Singing is music to our ears'
    In a statement, Molly's carers said "we are just so happy to be together again".

    "Molly's first 24 hours home has been wonderful for all of us," Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen said.

    VIDEO.....
    Peggy and Molly back together again(Supplied: The Connect Agency)
    "The three best friends have been enjoying the sun together or just enjoying each others' company like they have always done.

    "They are resettling into their normal home life and Molly has had a few baths and played with his faithful sloth toys with Peggy and Ruby never too far away.

    "We have had to duck quite a few times as wings flap by our heads and the constant singing is music to our ears."

    Conditions for returning Molly
    Queensland authorities returned Molly on the condition that the Gold Coast couple no longer profit from it.

    The department previously said in a statement that independent expert veterinary advice had shown that Molly was highly habituated and may have developmental issues, meaning it can never be rehabilitated or returned to the wild.

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    Molly the magpie has been returned to the couple, but with conditions.(Supplied)
    Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen undertook wildlife carer training and must continue engaging with authorities to ensure the bird is receiving adequate care.

    The couple are also encouraged to publicly educate others on how to appropriately care for native wildlife.
     
  2. Nobert

    Nobert

     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2024
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