Molly the Magpie is finally set to be re-united with her pooch pals after being taken away by wildlife rangers

The former ‘owners’ of an Instagram-famous bird have welcomed him back home after he was suddenly taken by wildlife authorities last week. 

Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen shared a video of Molly the Magpie back home playing with their two Staffordshire terriers Peggy and Ruby. 

In the video Molly excitedly jumps around their patio before the footage cuts to him inside playing with the dogs and enjoying a well deserved snack. 

‘It’s time to shift from stress mode to sarty mode – MOLLY IS COMING HOME,’ the caption read on Instagram.

Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen said they are ‘taking the necessary steps’ to ensure that Molly stays home for good this time.

Molly gained an online following of almost one million people enamoured by his friendship with the family’s Staffordshire Terriers. 

Officials from Queensland’s Environment Department removed the male magpie from the Gold Coast home of Juliette Wells and Reese Mortenson on March 1, saying the wild bird was being kept unlawfully. 

After Molly’s removal caused outrage on social media, the couple and their loyal followers began to petition the Queensland Premier to return the bird. 

Steven Miles had announced on Wednesday that Molly would be going home ‘very soon’ as long as the couple obtained the appropriate wildlife permit. 

However, it has now been revealed that Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen will have to also meet a number of conditions in order to keep the wild bird in their home. 

Officials have forbidden the couple from making any ongoing commercial gain from the bird, bringing into question the future of their much-loved Instagram page ‘peggyandmolly’ which boasts 815,000 followers. 

They have also come out with the book ‘Peggy and Molly’ which features dozens of photos of the unique interspecies friendship.

The couple will also have to undertake wildlife carer training, advocate for public education of native wildlife and allow authorities to monitor Molly and ensure he is receiving adequate care. 

‘Molly’s return hinges on the family applying for a licence and agreeing with a range of conditions that will ensure the best outcome for the animal’s ongoing health and wellbeing,’ the department said on Thursday. 

‘Once the individuals have demonstrated that they can and will meet the conditions, Molly will be placed with its former carers.’

Wildlife authorities said the magpie was removed from the couple’s home on the grounds they had no permission to keep a wild bird.

They say the bird is highly habituated and ‘may have developmental issues’ meaning it can never be returned to the wild. 

However, the couple argue they don’t keep Molly in the way a pet owner might look after a caged budgerigar or parrot, as he is free to fly away and forage for food and make his own return.

They say they rescued Molly as a chick after he fell from his nest in 2020. 

Ms Wells was first asked to surrender Molly six months ago when authorities visited her home but she was unable to capture the bird as it was in a tree. 

In Queensland, magpies and other wildlife protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, can only be cared for by licensed carers. 

These carers have to demonstrate to wildlife authorities that they have the skills necessary to provide the necessary specialist care.