Molly the Magpie, a famous bird from Queensland, Australia, is set to be reunited with its owner after a long campaign.
Unfortunately, the release came with a catch. Since March 1, people in Australia have been captivated by the animal.
Its adopted family reportedly did not have the proper training to look after it.
The bird was adopted by Gold Coast couple Reece Mortensen and Juliette Wells.
They created an Instagram account to share their odd bond with their pet dog Peggy. In 2020, the couple took the bird as a baby. On Thursday, the environment department revealed that the bird would be given back to the family after about a month.
The DESI spokesperson stated that the bird’s return depended on the family’s application for a license and their agreement to various conditions, which would ensure its well-being. Some of these include a ban on the bird’s image or commercial gain.
To ensure that the bird receives the proper care and attention, the agency is working with the community to educate people about the importance of caring for native wildlife. It is also conducting educational programs to inform the public about the skills required to rehabilitate and care for these animals.
DESI noted that Molly would be returned if the owners can show that they are capable of meeting the various conditions. In Queensland, it is illegal to keep or care for magpies and other protected animals without a license from the environment department. Only licensed individuals can care for these birds.
The owners made the decision to return the bird after consulting a veterinary expert, who concluded that it was a highly habituated animal and could not be rehabilitated. They thanked the state’s Premier Steven Miles for helping them with the situation.
In their Instagram post, the owners thanked Steven Miles for showing humanity and unity. They also stated that they would be discussing the next steps with the government to bring the bird back. They said they have a hole in their hearts, and since Molly was given to the government, it has never been able to heal.
The post continued to say that they have been the target of harassment and bullying by a small group of people. However, they thanked the community for standing up for them and helping them bring Molly back.