In short? Authorities say Molly the magpie will be returned to its original carers on the condition they make no commercial gain from the bird.
The couple, who have had the bird for four years, run a popular Instagram account and have signed a book deal.
What’s next? The environment department will work with the couple to ensure the magpie is properly cared for.
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The department said in a statement that independent expert veterinary advice had shown that Molly was highly habituated and may have developmental issues, meaning he can never be rehabilitated or returned to the wild.
Good news they’ve put the condition on in this particular instance, but you can guarantee other Instatockers who want their five minutes of fame will be out there collecting whatever they can get their selfish mitts on to try and be the next big thing.
Sounds like they had to capture it to save its life and didn’t do it to make the thing a sideshow.
There’s no mention of that apart from a single sentence of “…claimed they rescued”. Now it’s being returned because it’s so removed from nature it probably can’t survive so…what a “rescue”.
And especially an area like the Gold Coast, there’s a bajillion wildlife shelters and sanctuaries where people take at risk native animals they find. There’s even a literal bird sanctuary there that’s so big it’s a tourist attraction.