A magpie that was nursed back to health by a family in Queensland after it was reportedly kept illegally has been seized by authorities.
It was initially thought that the bird was a female, but it was later revealed that it was a male.
The animal, named Molly the magpie, became famous after befriending an English staffy named Peggy.
When the bird was a chick, Gold Coast residents, Juliet Wells and her partner, Sam Mortensen, nursed it back to health.
After it was able to return to its normal state, they let it fly away. However, a few days later, the bird decided to stay in the house. It has since grown fond of the humans and their pets.
According to Ms Wells and Mr. Mortenson, the bird has never been forced to stay inside or confined.
It has always been free to roam and interact with humans and their pets. Recently, Ms. Well captured the bird’s interactions with Peggy, and these were posted on Instagram, which quickly gained widespread attention.
The family brought Ruby, a puppy from Peggy’s home, into the family. Soon, Molly fell in love with her too, and their friendship became well-known.
For over three years, the bird has been part of the lives of Mr. Mortenson and Ms. Wells. Their bond with the animal has inspired a book about the couple.
Their lives may have changed forever after authorities took the bird away due to allegations that it was being kept illegally.
According to the DESI, the bird was seized and a process was being carried out to find it a new home.
No charges have been made against Mr Mortenson and Ms Wells. The DESI stated that the bird was seized on March 1 after people voluntarily surrendered it. It is believed that the bird had been taken away from the wild, and it was kept without a permit or license.
The Nature Conservation Act of Queensland provides for the protection of all native animals in the state.
It states that people must have the necessary permits and licenses to keep wild animals. The statement also mentioned that the couple nursed the bird back to health after it fell ill.
Those who wish to rehabilitate native wildlife must first acquire a permit, which is issued to individuals who have extensive experience caring for and handling animals. The purpose of this process is to provide the animal with the necessary care so that it can be released back into the wild.