Peggy and Molly, an Instagram-famous dog-magpie duo, is setting Australia abuzz. Here's why

The heartfelt story of an Australian magpie, Molly from Queensland, has set the Australian social media abuzz. Molly was adopted by an Australian couple from Queensland in 2020 when she fell from a nest. Since then, the wild magpie has been living with the couple and grew an unusual bond with their bull terrier, Peggy.

The duo of Peggy and Molly became an Instagram hit, with more than two million followers watching them play and imitate each other on social media every day.

But soon the paradise of Peggy and Molly caught the attention of state officials, who argued that magpies are wild birds that are not meant to be domesticated at any cost.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Also Read |Interpol warns Southeast Asia trafficking is expanding into a global crime network

The human parents of Molly, Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, announced Wednesday that they had “surrendered” their magpie to Queensland’s environment department earlier in the week.

The two seemed emotional in the video and said they had to take this step as some people were constantly complaining about the animal being in their care.

The couple described themselves as “grieving” and “devastated” to lose the magpie, which they surrendered to authorities on March 1.

The incident started a debate over animals choosing to live where they want vs. what animal authorities deem right for them.

Queensland’s Premier Steven Miles also expressed his support for the Peggy and Molly duo and said the magpie should be reunited with the family, contradicting the decision of state officials.

Watch |Wildlife accidents increased in Australia

"I think sometimes common sense needs to prevail... and if you look at the story, there is a better outcome possible," Miles said on Thursday.

In an Instagram message posted on Tuesday, Wells and Mortensen said the state department first turned up on their doorstep in June.

Also Read |Canada's population hits record high, driven by immigration surge. How many of these are Indian migrants?

“We did everything in our power to work with the department, including training and also me obtaining my wildlife permit, which, after a period of time, I had to retract my application, as it was a bit of a conflict to our page,” Mortensen said.

Australian magpies are protected native species that are considered crucial to the nation’s ecosystem. They are generally attacking in nature and can live up to 30 years in the wild.

To reunite the “bonded animals”, the couple started an online petition that has been signed by more than 70,000 fans now.

Also Read |VIDEO I Pakistan terror attack: Dashcam captures suicide bombing that killed Chinese nationals

The state’s Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) said they understand the interest of people in Molly, but warned that magpies were not domestic animals and should only ever be housed temporarily for the sole purpose of rehabilitation.

"The magpie is currently under the care of DESI. Unfortunately, it has been highly habituated to human contact and is not capable of being released back into the wild," a spokesperson said.

Wells and Mortensen said that they would continue their campaign to bring back Molly.

(With inputs from agencies)