Australians are once more being advised versus maintaining indigenous wild animals as animals, after a significantly sick magpie passed away complying with a month-long remain in a personal home.
Wildlife volunteers from Perth’s Native Animal Rescue claimed the bird got here in “a terrible state” late last month, experiencing a serious situation of throat-worm– a quickly treatable problem if captured early.
The magpie was not able to take a breath or ingest effectively and had actually sustained weeks of suffering, with its tail caked in feces. Speaking to Yahoo News, the rescue team claimed it showed up those that maintained the bird had actually been “trying to rehab it” however eventually triggered even more damage.
“If it had received proper treatment, it could have been released instead of developing severe throat-worm, which led to a septic mouth,” a spokesperson informed Yahoo.
They claimed the case acts as one more plain pointer: Native pets are not animals, and well-meaning treatments can have destructive effects.
“Wildlife mask their stress levels and pain,” the spokesperson claimed. “If you find an injured or orphaned animal, it needs to be assessed by a veterinarian to ensure it gets the right treatment and a second chance in the wild.
“If you discovered a pet or pet cat on the side of the roadway, you would not take it home and look after it on your own– you would certainly take it to a veterinarian. Please do the very same for our wild animals.”
The importance of reporting injured wildlife
Notifying the correct wildlife authorities is crucial for several reasons. Licensed rescuers and veterinarians have the expertise to provide proper care, ensuring the animal gets the best chance at survival and rehabilitation.
Many native species have specific dietary and medical needs that untrained individuals may not recognise, and improper care can lead to further suffering or even death.
Additionally, wildlife professionals can determine whether an animal needs medical treatment, rehabilitation, or humane euthanasia to prevent prolonged suffering.
In some cases, keeping native animals — even with good intentions — is illegal and can lead to fines.
The growing trend of keeping magpies as pets
The issue gained global attention in 2024 when Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen made headlines for keeping a magpie they named Molly.
After claiming they had rescued the bird as a chick, the pair amassed a massive social media following by documenting its bond with their dog, Peggy.
Queensland’s Environment Department later confiscated Molly, sparking public outcry. While the bird was eventually returned to the couple under special licensing, animal advocates argued that Molly should never have been kept as a pet in the first place.
They predicted similar incidents might emerge — fears that now appear to have been realised.
caas-jump-link-heading”>Gold Coast couple Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen made headlines last year for keeping a magpie they named Molly. Source: Peggyandmolly
Wildlife shelters last year reported a surge in illegally kept magpies. One WA-based rescue centre revealed it had received ” the-importance-of-reporting-injured-wildlife” of surrendered magpies in just 12 months.
A similar spike in intakes was also seen after the release of Penguin Bloom, a film starring Naomi Watts that told the true story of an injured woman rescuing a native magpie.
While inspiring, such stories can mislead the public into thinking wild animals can be kept as pets — when, in reality, they need expert care and rehabilitation.
Ordinarily, wildlife must be surrendered to a licensed care facility within 72 hours of rescue. As of February 2025, Molly the magpie remains with Wells and Mortensen, a DETSI spokeswoman confirmed to Yahoo News.
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