Authorities rescued 103 protected birds and turtles from a pet shop in Moti Nagar, Delhi, on Wednesday after animal activists alerted the police about alleged illegal wildlife trading. The rescued animals have been placed under veterinary care, with their release into the wild planned after they are medically cleared, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.
The rescue involved 54 parakeets, 49 turtles and an Indian Star Tortoise, according to Mr. Sirsa. In a post on X, he said legal action was under way and thanked the Delhi Police and people who had raised concerns about the activity.
The operation followed information provided by animal activists Manjira Banerjee and Sahil Sharma, who informed the police and were present during the raid. Mr. Sharma, who is based in Punjab, said he initiated the operation after receiving hundreds of online complaints about alleged illegal wildlife trading in the area.
The animals are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, according to the report. Their removal from the shop places the immediate focus on veterinary assessment and their suitability for release, while the authorities proceed with legal action linked to the seizure.
The rescue also shows how reports from residents and animal welfare groups can bring suspected wildlife trade in dense urban neighbourhoods to the attention of enforcement agencies. In this case, online complaints were followed by information being shared with the police and a raid at the Moti Nagar shop.
The number and variety of animals recovered make the operation significant for Delhi’s urban wildlife enforcement system. The seizure included commonly kept parakeets as well as turtles and an Indian Star Tortoise, requiring the authorities to manage different species during care and any subsequent rehabilitation process.
The minister did not provide details in the reported statement about the identity of the shop owner, the specific charges filed or the facility where the animals are receiving treatment. Those details are expected to form part of the continuing legal and administrative action.
For the rescued animals, the next step is veterinary clearance. Mr. Sirsa said they would be released into the wild once they were found fit, indicating that their condition and rehabilitation requirements would determine the timing and nature of any release. The police and relevant authorities will continue the legal process arising from the raid.
