In a reversal of fortune, the Department of Environment (DETSI) has announced that Molly the magpie can remain with the Gold Coast couple who took him in from the wild and made him an internet sensation.
A Close Call for Molly
After the Supreme Court cancelled the couple’s license to care for Molly on Monday, fans of the Peggy and Molly social media account were left wondering what would happen to the beloved bird. But DETSI has stepped in to clarify that Molly can stay with Reece Mortensen and Juliette Wells for the time being.
“Our top priority is always the welfare of the magpie,” a DETSI spokesperson said. “We’re currently working on determining the best future care arrangements for Molly, and our officers have spoken with the license applicant to confirm that the current care arrangement can continue while we figure things out.”
What’s Next for Molly?
The news is a huge relief for the family, who have been fighting to keep Molly since March when they surrendered him under pressure from DETSI. The couple was accused of taking Molly from the wild and keeping him illegally, but they maintain that they simply helped the bird bond with their pet dogs, Ruby and Peggy, and taught him to forage for food and fly.
The Original Controversy
It all started when DETSI alleged that Molly was taken from the wild and kept unlawfully. The couple denied this, saying Molly was free to come and go as he pleased. A medical assessment later confirmed that Molly had some health issues that made it difficult for him to fly, and he was deemed unfit for release.
The Supreme Court Intervention
The drama escalated when a group of wildlife rescuers and volunteers sought a Judicial Review of DETSI’s decision to grant the couple a license to care for Molly. They argued that the department had failed to follow proper processes and standards in granting the license, and that it was unduly influenced by then-premier Steven Miles’ desire for a photo op with the bird.
A Happy Ending (For Now)
For now, Molly gets to stay with the family he loves, and his fans can breathe a sigh of relief. But the battle may not be over yet. As DETSI continues to determine the best future care arrangements for Molly, only time will tell what the future holds for this beloved bird and his family.