Molly the magpie’s little cry of happiness after 150,000 people reunited her with Peggy

Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen said they were "overwhelmed with emotion" the day authorities returned Molly the magpie. They described a "little cry of happiness" from the magpie when it was released. The cry closed six weeks away from Peggy, their Staffordshire terrier, after more than 150,000 people signed a petition for the reunion.

In 2020 the couple rescued Molly as a fallen chick near their home. As the bond with Peggy grew online, their Instagram account passed 800,000 followers and then came the calendars, the T-shirts and a book deal with Penguin Books Australia titled 'Peggy & Molly: Be Kind, Be Humble, Be Happy'.

On 1 March 2024, following complaints, they surrendered Molly to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. The department said the bird had been taken from the wild without a permit. "We are asking why a wild magpie can't decide for himself where he wants to live and who he wants to spend his time with?" the couple said.

Public backlash followed and fuelled the petition. Queensland Premier Steven Miles urged authorities to grant a licence, calling it a win for common sense. The department found Molly highly habituated and unable to be released to the wild. It granted a specialised licence that returned the bird, barred commercial gain from the bird or its image, and required the couple to undertake wildlife carer training.

"My intention was not to make money," Juliette Wells said. "It's not about that." Reece Mortensen said, "We can't make a living on the money that's been made - definitely not."

"Molly has received excellent care during this time, and I'm told has been in great spirits throughout," Steven Miles said. "I know how strongly people have felt about this - thank you again to everyone who has been in touch about it."