A Gold Coast couple who brought a wild magpie home from a park and built the popular social media account Peggy and Molly, showing it interacting with their pet dogs, will have to comply with a series of new conditions if the bird is returned to them.
What are the new Peggy and Molly conditions?
Prior to the magpie’s surrender, the Peggy and Molly account had led to a successful six-figure GoFundMe drive, and a book deal with Penguin Random House. Under the new regulations, DESI says the couple will not be able to profit from Molly in future if the bird is returned.
The new rules the couple must abide by are:
- No ongoing commercial gain from the bird or its image.
- Undertaking wildlife carer training.
- Advocating public education to encourage people to appropriately care for native wildlife and acknowledging the specialist skills required to care for and rehabilitate wildlife.
- Ongoing engagement with DESI to ensure the bird is receiving adequate care and enrichment.
“Once the individuals have demonstrated that they can and will meet the conditions, Molly will be placed with its former carers,” DESI said.
Fans celebrate return of Molly the magpie
On Thursday, the Peggy and Molly account issued a statement on Instagram, thanking supporters for advocating for the magpie’s return. “Words can’t describe how grateful & moved we are to be sitting here writing this today,” it reads.
Fans of the page reacted with delight. “We can’t wait to see Molly back with his family!” one person wrote. “I’m trying to be patient for the day you post pictures of the reunion,” another said.
It’s understood the decision to return Molly the magpie was made by the DESI Director-General, in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act, following “extensive legal advice”.
“In Queensland, magpies and other wildlife protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, can only be cared for by licensed carers, who have demonstrated to the Department that they have the skills necessary to provide the necessary specialist care,” it said