Breaking News: ABC Molly the magpie’s first 24 hours at home with her canine and human best friends

Everything is as it should be in Peggy and Molly’s world again.

After more than six weeks apart, the Insta-famous magpie and its best dog mate are back together at home on the Gold Coast — singing and sunning themselves like old times.

Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen voluntarily surrendered Molly to The Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) earlier this year after authorities found the couple did not have the required permit to care for native wildlife.

Ms Wells has said the pair rescued the bird as a fledgling in 2020 and raised it alongside Peggy and their other pet dog, Ruby.

The unlikely friendship that blossomed between Peggy and Molly was dubbed a “real life Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet” story, and has seen the animals’ interactions garner hordes of followers online and later secure a book deal.

After a sustained campaign to reunite the dog and its avian friend, which saw Premier Steven Miles and pro-surfer Kelly Slater throw their support behind the cause, authorities worked with the couple to ensure they could obtain the required permits to care for Molly.

In a statement, Molly’s carers said “we are just so happy to be together again”.

“Molly’s first 24 hours home has been wonderful for all of us,” Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen said.

The three best friends have been enjoying the sun together or just enjoying each others’ company like they have always done.

“They are resettling into their normal home life and Molly has had a few baths and played with his faithful sloth toys with Peggy and Ruby never too far away.

“We have had to duck quite a few times as wings flap by our heads and the constant singing is music to our ears.”

Queensland authorities returned Molly on the condition that the Gold Coast couple no longer profit from it.

The department previously said in a statement that independent expert veterinary advice had shown that Molly was highly habituated and may have developmental issues, meaning it can never be rehabilitated or returned to the wild.

Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen undertook wildlife carer training and must continue engaging with authorities to ensure the bird is receiving adequate care.

The couple are also encouraged to publicly educate others on how to appropriately care for native wildlife.