Horrified traffic cops have found the body parts of a protected Siberan tiger in the boot of a car stopped on a highway.

The discovery happened on 24th on the Razdolnoye-Khasan highway in Primorsky Krai, Russia.

Officers searching the vehicle found remains tentatively identified as those of a Siberan tiger, also known as an Amur tiger, which is listed as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species.

A criminal case was opened under Part 1 of Article 258.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers the illegal extraction and trafficking of especially valuable wild animals.

Violations are punishable by up to four years in prison.

The prosecutor’s office said the case is under special scrutiny.

With only around 500 individuals left in the wild, Amur tigers are under strict state protection and their killing is completely prohibited.

The destruction of rare and endangered species is a serious criminal offense.

(Mike Leidig / newsX)