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Banda Aceh. A Sumatran tiger injured after being ensnared in a trap set by villagers in Aceh died on Monday as veterinarians prepared to amputate one of the highly endangered animal’s legs.

The chief of Aceh’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Abubakar Chek Mat, said that the 5-year-old female tiger was in a weak condition after it was captured by villagers in a remote part of southern Aceh on Wednesday.

“It was in critical condition when it was brought to Banda Aceh last Saturday,” Abubakar told the Jakarta Globe. “Its front and back legs were badly injured.”

On Monday, the animal was taken to Syiah Kuala University’s Veterinary School for treatment.

Veterinarians at the school are conducting an autopsy on the rare tiger, Abubakar said.

The tiger, one of fewer than 150 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, according to a survey conducted two years ago, was a target of local residents angered because it had been threatening their cattle.

Abubakar acknowledged the complaints and said his agency had dispatched an animal trainer to the area to monitor the situation and assist villagers in coping with tiger problems.

He said that illegal logging was at the root of the problem because the disappearing forest cover destroyed the natural habitat of tigers and other wild animals, including the endangered Sumatran elephant.

“The conflict between men and animals comes because the forests have been turned into plantations and the tigers and elephants come to residential areas looking for food,” Abubakar said.

Abubakar urged concerted action to find a solution. “People and businesses must commit to protect the forest,” he said. “The Forestry Agency must be strict and stop allowing illegal logging to continue in Aceh.”

The conservation agency is currently holding two other tigers captured by villagers in the province, although both are in good condition and have been with the agency for a long time, Abubakar said.

“I’m still waiting for word from the Aceh governor about what will we do with them,” he said. “If we let them go back to the jungle, most likely they won’t be able to adapt.”