Queensland’s state government has confirmed Molly the Magpie can stay with its owners for good, after a court action threatened to tear them apart.
The magpie has been living with Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen along with their Staffordshire Terrier pets Peggy and Ruby.
Molly was removed from the home in March when authorities learned that the couple had no permit to care for native wildlife, but the bird was returned six weeks later after a public outcry.
The bird’s future with the family was in limbo for months after a Supreme Court judge in November overturned the granting of a specialised wildlife carer’s licence to the couple, who have turned Molly and her canine companions into social media stars.
Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell has now ruled that Molly is ‘a wild bird’ and confirmed that the couple did not need a permit to keep it.
‘We’re not seizing the bird,’ Mr Powell said.
‘My understanding is from the briefs I have received from my department … is the bird is free to come and go, in essence it is wild … and therefore a permit isn’t required.’
Molly the Magpie’s carers Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen
This is a breaking story. More to come.
