India, Oct. 22 -- New Delhi

At least 103 protected birds and reptiles were rescued and confiscated on Tuesday from a pet shop in west Delhi's Moti Nagar, where they were illegally put up for sale, police said on Wednesday.

Police were tipped off and accompanied by environmentalists and wildlife rescuers, including 25-year-old Punjab-based activist Sahil Sharma, officers aware of the matter said.

"The recovered birds and reptiles included 52 rose-ringed parakeets, two Alexandrine parakeets, three Indian star tortoises, two Indian flapshell turtles, three Indian tent turtles, 28 Indian roofed turtles and 13 black-spotted pond turtles," Sharma told HT, adding that he has helped carry out nearly two dozens similar raids across seven states...