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Century-Old Cactus Used For Target Practice In Saguaro National Park

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Published Date

October 7, 2017

A close-up of damaged saguaro's stem/NPS

A cactus in Saguaro National Park that likely was a seedling before Arizona became a state was recently shot up to 14 times with a shotgun and is not expected to survive.

A park science crew discovered the damaged saguaro, estimated to be 100 to 150 years old, on Wednesday in the park’s West District, north of Golden Gate Road just off of Sandario Road. Near the cactus, the science crew found shotgun casings on the ground, and the shells have been collected for evidence and forensic testing. Scientists believe the damage occurred at least one week ago, possibly within the last four weeks.

“There was significant damage to the main stem and one of the branches on the large and mature saguaro,” Chief Ranger Ray O’Neil said. “It is too soon to tell, but we are expecting that the damage is lethal for this old sentinel in the Sonoran Desert.”

NPS law enforcement rangers are requesting the community’s help to gather additional information related to this vandalism. Anyone with information regarding this or other illegal activity in Saguaro National Park is encouraged to contact the National Park Service Investigative Service Tipline at 888-653-0009. Callers may remain anonymous.

Penalties for damaging park resources and discharging a firearm within park boundaries may include a fine up to $5,000 or six months in jail.

“National Parks belong to all of us,” Chief Ranger O’Neil said. “We take all incidents of damage to park resources very seriously. These incidents are investigated, and individuals found to be involved will be held responsible.”

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Comments

Submitted by ecbuck on October 7, 2017 - 1:23pm.

You might get the NRA mad at you and that's not a good thing.

The NRA doesn't believe this is appropriate either.   Tell me, what "reasonable restrictions" would you like to see and what exactly would you expect them to accomplish?

 


Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on October 7, 2017 - 1:26pm.

Lee and EC, just back from a somewhat relaxing trip to Yellowstone, and it would seem that both of you are way over your limit for comments this week. Let's not start again with the NRA...if you want to debate this, please do it via email.


Submitted by Rick B. on October 7, 2017 - 1:30pm.

My best guess is a two-digit IQ, an excess of alcohol, and a shotgun considered to be a toy. This is a horrible thing.

 


Submitted by richp on October 7, 2017 - 2:03pm.

Thanks Kurt.


Submitted by Lee Dalton on October 7, 2017 - 2:42pm.

You're right Kurt. Sorry. 


Submitted by Rudy Stefancik on October 7, 2017 - 10:24pm.

I support the 2nd Amendment that included the 1st thirteen words before "Saint" Scalia wiped them away in the Heller decision.


Submitted by tomp2 on October 7, 2017 - 11:41pm.

Alas, this isn't new or rare.  

Shooting saguaros is a thing. 

With a wikipedia entry for "Cactus Plugging" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cactus_plugging

With a Darwin Award finalist that rates TRUE by Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/horrors/freakish/saguaro.asp

http://archive.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/20100407clay0...

There's at least one survey of saguaros with gunshot wounds in Saguaro NP (I recall it was the eastern or Rincon Mtn. unit, this is the Tucson Mtn. unit).  

 

A long term ecological study was ended at Silverbell (BLM land between Phoenix & Tucson) in the 1970s because of recreational shooters and (early) ATV riders destroying the plots.  Bloody Basin by Agua Fria NM north of Phoenix is another area I simply avoid because of too frequent shooting.  My impression is that shooting up the desert is common in places 1-4 hours from Phoenix & Tucson: close enough to drive out for a weekend of camping & shooting, or even just an afternoon. [Note that there's at least 1 outdoor shooting range in the adjacent county park maybe 10 miles from this saguaro in the National Park.]

 


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