Kuala Lumpur  - Malaysian officials have rescued an endangered Malayan tiger which got its paw trapped in a poacher's snare in the northern Perak state jungle, a news report said Monday.

Wildlife director Sabrina Shariff said officers discovered the 5-year-old tiger and tranquillized it before removing its front paw from the trap.

"It was already dark when we found the tiger. The area where the snare was set was quite slippery," Sabrina was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times daily.

Two other snares were discovered near the tiger, the report said.

Sabrina said the cat was being treated at a zoo in southern Malacca state, because the snare had cut a deep wound.

Wildlife officers have removed 101 snares from the jungle and detained 10 poachers this year. Poachers face up to five years in jail.

Authorities estimate there are only about 500 Malayan tigers left in the world, most of which can be found in Malaysia. The population was estimated at about 3,000 animals some 50 years ago.

Tiger body parts are smuggled abroad or sold locally for use in traditional medicine. (dpa)