The first photo of Molly the magpie — a social media sensation known for his fun relationship with two dogs — has been released by carers at the facility where he is being held.
Molly‘s adopted Gold Coast family surrendered him in March following complaints over the lack of a wildlife carer’s permit.
Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen rescued the bird when he — initially thought to be a she — fell from a nest in 2020, before he continued to live in their backyard and formed a happy and wholesome relationship with dogs Peggy and Ruby.
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Premier Steven Miles said the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation was working with the couple to secure a permit and bring Molly home with strict conditions to assure the best outcomes for his health and wellbeing.
“Independent expert veterinary advice has shown Molly is highly habituated and may have developmental issues, meaning it can never be rehabilitated or returned to the wild,” the department said on Thursday.
“We have our first photo,” Wells and Mortensen announced on their Instagram account.
The photo was taken by carers at the facility where Molly is being held, they said.
“After 43 days,” Wells and Mortensen said. “Tears started rolling.”
The Gold Coast family included a poem they had written:
“They came and told us they wanted to take you away.
“We couldn’t even picture what that would look like?
“I will never forget that day.
“If Molly had a voice what would he say?
“If Molly had a choice where would he stay?
“The silence has been broken.
“People have awoken.
“I haven’t been placed on this Earth to hide.
“Let me soar again and be your guide.
“In unity and harmony you will see,
“What the world needs right now is Peggy, Ruby and me.”
In a special message to Molly, Wells and Mortensen said: “We look forward to the day very soon to be able to see you with our own eyes and be reunited again.”
Social media users were thrilled to see Molly is doing well.
“It’s so lovely to see Molly,” one person said.
“So glad to see he is healthy, I bet he has been ‘barking’ at everyone,” another person said.
However, many said they would not be happy until Molly was home.
“Hoping he’s home soon,” one person said.
“I’m so excited for him to come home,” another person said.
“Sweet Molly! We all hope you didn’t suffer too much trauma,” another social media user said.
“You will be home soon and surrounded by your loving family.”
It is not yet know when Molly will be reunited with his adopted family.