Wildlife and national parks department (Perhilitan) director-general Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said each part of the tiger held some value in the black market, adding that the case is believed to be linked to a wildlife trafficking syndicate.

He said Perhilitan was working with the police to trace the syndicate’s network following the arrest of three suspects, Buletin TV3 reported.

“Combating poaching remains a key focus of ours in protecting the Malayan tiger and other endangered species,” he said.

Kadir said Malayan tigers were now confined to forest reserves and protected areas in just eight states – Perak, Pahang, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan – underscoring the species’ shrinking natural habitat.

On Tuesday, three men aged 28 to 49, were nabbed after police discovered the carcass of a tiger inside a car in Felda Tenggaroh near Mersing, Johor.

Police said the tiger had six gunshot wounds to the head and also sustained severe injuries believed to be from a trap.