A magpie known as Molly, famous for his friendship with dogs Peggy and Ruby, may be separated from them again following a court ruling. The Supreme Court has revoked a special license allowing Molly to remain with his rescuers, Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, just months after it was granted.
Molly’s story began in 2020 when Wells and Mortensen rescued him after he fell from his nest. His bond with their dogs captured widespread attention on social media, turning the trio into a viral sensation. However, earlier this year, Molly was surrendered to Queensland authorities after concerns were raised about the lack of proper permits.
Public outcry led state wildlife officials to issue a special license for Molly to return home. The conditions required his carers to forgo any commercial benefit from Molly, complete wildlife training, and collaborate with authorities to ensure his care. Despite these efforts, a group of wildlife carers contested the license, prompting a judicial review.
The carers argued the decision to grant the license undermined wildlife protection. “We are the ones who deal with the wreckage of the social media fad of capturing baby magpies,” said one member of the group. The court ultimately sided with them, acknowledging errors in the license approval process.
Queensland’s environment department admitted to mishandling the case and is now evaluating the next steps. “In trying to protect the welfare of the bird – which has always been our highest priority – we made an error, and we are currently considering next steps,” a department spokesperson said.
Wells and Mortensen remain optimistic despite the setback. “We are not sure because we have not been advised of the next steps, we will keep you all updated as things unfold,” they shared on Instagram. For now, they are cherishing every moment with Molly while his future hangs in the balance.
This article by Trinity Sparke was first published by One Green Planet on 30November 2024. Image Credit :juan68/Shutterstock.
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