Delhi authorities rescued 103 protected birds and reptiles from a pet shop in the Moti Nagar area of West Delhi on Wednesday, after animal activists informed the police about alleged illegal wildlife trading at the premises, The Hindu reported.

The raid was carried out jointly by the Forest and Wildlife Department and Delhi Police. The rescued animals include 54 parakeets and 49 turtles and tortoises, among them the Indian Star Tortoise — all native species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

According to Mirror Now, the inventory includes 52 rose-ringed parakeets and two Alexandrine parakeets, along with three Indian star tortoises, two Indian flapshell turtles, three Indian tent turtles, 28 Indian roofed turtles and 13 black-spotted pond turtles. An FIR has been registered under Sections 9, 39 and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, initiating legal proceedings against the shop operators.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the rescue on X, saying the animals are under veterinary care and will be released into the wild once cleared medically. "Illegal wildlife trade has no place in Delhi. Do not buy wild birds or turtles as pets," he posted, praising the Forest and Wildlife Department and Delhi Police, as well as the citizens who reported the trade.