Emotional moment Molly the magpie reunited with staffy best friends
Molly was returned to couple Juliette and Reece six weeks after they were forced to surrender the bird to Queensland authorities. Watch the moment below.
More than 45 days since the "Insta-famous" bird Molly the magpie was surrendered to wildlife authorities, the emotional moment the little animal was finally reunited with its staffy companions has been shared with millions of fans.
Molly was returned to Queensland couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen on Monday morning, six weeks after they surrendered the bird to state authorities, who said it was taken from the wild unlawfully.
Now, Molly, who has more than two million followers across YouTube, Instagram and Facebook has been reunited with two dogs Peggy and her pup Ruby, with the moment of the reunion shared to social media.
Couple's message to fans after bird reunited with dogs
The couple, who are no longer allowed to profit off the bird, shared the vision online, while TV crews also tagged along for the moment.
"The moment we have all been waiting for — Molly's first 24 hours home has [sic] been wonderful for all of us," the couple wrote on Instagram. "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 to [sic] 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. We are just so happy to be together again."
Molly the magpie: First photos released after bird returned to family
Peggy and Molly: Famous magpie adopted by Aussie family surrendered amid captivity fears
In the video, Molly can be seen being carried to the couple's front door in a pet carrier bag, as the two dogs await inside. Within seconds of opening the door, the two staffies go to the bird, excitedly wagging their tails and eagerly circling the bag.
"Words can't describe like the joy to see them remember each other," Wells told A Current Affair overnight.
"Peggy didn't know what to do with herself. She's like, 'Is this really Molly? Is this really happening? I think [Molly] barks more than the dogs to tell you the truth."
Aussies respond to emotional video
The emotional footage amassed a staggering 130,000 likes with hundreds of people responding. "Amazing! There won’t be any dry eyes after watching this!" one woman said.
"To all the angry humans who complained and had Molly ripped away from her home: I hope this video of her return softens your heart," a second said. "I just cried watching this," another woman wrote.
Most people online were "heart-warmed" by the footage, though some argued the bird should never have been taken in the first place.
Some division remains
In 2020, Wells and Mortensen took Molly home from a park without a licence and shared photos of it interacting with their dogs to Instagram. They then built a loyal following across several social media platforms, opened an online store selling calendars, shirts and prints, and secured a book deal with Penguin Random House.
The Department of Environment (DESI) said the bird was sent back after the pair agreed to several licensing demands including they cease making commercial gain from the bird or its image. The couple must also undertake wildlife carer training and ensure it receives “adequate care and enrichment”.
In a statement DESI said independent veterinary advice concluded the magpie could not be released to the wild because it is “highly habituated and may have developmental issues”. It said the bird was returned to Wells and Mortensen in line with the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
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