Fans of an Instagram-famous magpie are campaigning for Australian wildlife authorities to reunite him with his best friend Peggy, an English Staffordshire terrier, after the animals’ owners say they were pressured to surrender the wild bird.
Molly the magpie was rescued as a chick by Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, a couple from Queensland who now run the “Peggy and Molly” social media pages. The couple’s videos document the magpie and Staffie playing and sleeping together, and one recent video even showed Molly imitating the sound of a dog barking.
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It’s unclear if Peggy and Molly are bonded animals but social media videos of the pair interacting suggest they have a strong connection.
The situation has drummed up a considerable amount of press coverage in Australia and abroad. So much so that it landed on the radar of Queensland’s premier Steven Miles.
The provincial leader called for Molly to be reunited with her family, and urged wildlife officials to work with the couple so they can get their proper license.
“I know our environment department, I used to be their minister. I know they take their responsibilities under the law very seriously. But I think in these circumstances, there’s room for some flexibility. I just urge them to work with Molly’s carers to get the necessary wildlife carer training so that she can get back home.”
The premier has no legal power to order Molly’s return, however, that decision must be made by Desi.