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‘Molly is home!’: Insta-famous magpie’s carers give first update since reunion

Instagram star Molly the magpie has been reunited with his staffy friends after he was voluntarily surrendered to authorities more than 45 days ago.

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) approved a specialised licence and reunited the bird with Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen after they agreed to several conditions.

The bird, which was made famous by its friendship with a staffy named Peggy and later the canine's daughter Ruby, has more than 835,000 followers on the social media platform.

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Instagram star Molly the magpie has made its long-awaited return home to its carers in Queensland, according to authorities. The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) said in a statement today authorities have approved a specialised licence and reunited the bird with Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen after they agreed to several conditions.

"We have the best news, Molly is home!!!" the Peggy and Molly Facebook page posted.

"We are overwhelmed with emotion right now.

"I have been visualising and looking forward to this day for what feels like a lifetime.

"It was a very exciting reunion at the (DESI) this morning for us with a little cry of happiness from Molly.

"When we arrived home the Peggy and Ruby wiggly bottoms were in full force and a few excited noises from Molly.

"We are so grateful to you, our supporters, Queensland Premier Steven Miles and the DESI for allowing us to get our licence and to be reunited with Molly again.

"We look forward to life settling back down to normal very soon."

The bird, who was made famous by his friendship with a Staffy named Peggy, was voluntarily surrendered to authorities more than 45 days ago.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said in a statement he was advised Molly's carers picked him up today.

"The department worked with the couple to issue them with a specialised licence to enable Molly's return," Miles said.

"Molly has received excellent care during this time, and I'm told he's been in great spirits throughout.

"I know how strongly people have felt about this – thank you again to everyone who has been in touch about it."

DESI said in a statement this morning the decision to return Molly has been made in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act 1992 "following extensive legal advice".

"Independent expert veterinary advice has shown that Molly, who was surrendered to the department on March 1, is highly habituated and may have developmental issues, meaning it can never be rehabilitated or returned to the wild," a spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the family has agreed to receive no ongoing commercial gain from the bird or its image, undertake wildlife carer training and have ongoing engagement with DESI to ensure the bird is receiving adequate care and enrichment.

"DESI has also required the family undertake an advocacy and public education role be performed to encourage people to appropriately care for native wildlife and acknowledging the specialist skills required to care for and rehabilitate wildlife," DESI said.