India, Sept. 25 -- At least 38 red munia birds, a protected species whose commercial sale and possession are prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act, were rescued from a pet shop in Jagraon by a team of the forest and wildlife department, with the help of a local environmentalist on Thursday.

The Ludhiana Rural Police have registered an FIR against the shop owner following a complaint by Narinder Singh, wildlife range officer. The action followed a tip-off received by environmentalist Sahil Sharma about the alleged illegal sale and purchase of red munias. Sharma alerted the forest and wildlife authorities, following which a team raided the Royal Pet Shop in Jagraon and rescued the birds.

"Red munias are protected under Schedule II ...