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Vandals Again Chop Up Saguaros At Saguaro National Park

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Published Date

October 18, 2020
Saguaro National Park rangers are seeking leads into who chopped up saguaros in the park/NPS

Saguaro National Park rangers are seeking leads into who chopped up saguaros in the park/NPS

Nearly five years ago someone took a saw or machete to nine saguaros in Saguaro National Park. It happened again, with eight saguaros in the park's west district having been slashed or cut down.

Park rangers say the vandalism was done along the Scenic Trail in the district. They say the saguaros, ranging in height from 1 foot to 10 feet tall, were slashed or cut down. It is believed the damage occurred on or around October 3.

“All plants, animals, and resources in the national park are protected,” said Saguaro Superintendent Leah McGinnis. “Damage to saguaro cacti is especially disheartening because they are the reason for the park’s establishment. Saguaro cacti grow very slowly and hold special significance to the people who live here. A 10-foot cactus could easily be 100 years old and it was killed in a senseless act of vandalism."

If you have visited the Scenic Trail, Passey Loop Trails, or the Scenic Drive Trailhead around October 3 and might have information about this incident, the National Park Service asks for your help. You can contact the National Park Service, Investigative Services Branch Tipline 888-653-0009, email [email protected], or submit a tip online. Even a small detail may help rangers identify those responsible and find justice for the saguaros.

Here are some ways to report information you may have: 

Call or text the ISB Tip Line at 888-653-0009
Submit Information ONLINE here
Submit information via EMAIL by contacting: [email protected]
You don't have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know.

A similar incident happened early in 2016, when nine saguaros were hacked up, including two estimated to be at least 150 years old. That incident occurred along the Gould Mine Trail, near the King Canyon Trailhead, in the park's Tucson Mountain District.

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Comments

Submitted by Margaret Trupp on October 19, 2020 - 2:28pm.

Despicable act of destruction hope the purp will be apprehended  soon.

 


Submitted by Betty Day on October 19, 2020 - 9:22pm.

Please catch these fools!! Karma may have one fall on them after breaking!! Gee, how terrible? I'm a Native and this really ticks me off! If you can't respect the scenery, LEAVE THE STATE! PLEASE!


Submitted by Michael Memmott on October 19, 2020 - 9:55pm.

I hate seeing stuff like this. What's the point? Why ruin things for others


Submitted by Cardona on October 20, 2020 - 3:28am.

This national park was my favorite out of the twenty-five (25) that I have visited. The saguaros were beautiful. I hope that justice get served to the slasher. 


Submitted by dscottjorgenson on October 20, 2020 - 6:55pm.

Of course, when DHS contractors level hundreds of saguaro, organ pipe and other cactus as they wipe-out the entire Roosevelt Reservation along the border at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, as part of building Trump's illegal border wall, nary a word is said, and NPS cooperates.  Ironic.


Submitted by Humphrey Ploughjogger on October 21, 2020 - 10:09am.

Well, gosh, dscottjorgenson, are you trying to make some point about how we all should vote in the upcoming election.  If we care about our national parks and protected public lands, we need to vote a straight democrat ticket, all the way down the ballot of course.  Then, once we have regained control of our government, we need to take stock of the damage the republicans have done  ...and then, there need to be consequences.  If there aren't consequences, the same old perpetrators will just slink off and hide awhile, only to come back and try to do it all again later.


Submitted by Joshua Israel on October 23, 2020 - 6:15pm.

How truly sad!  The destruction of our great National Treasures.  Is there no honor left in people!  I have seen "Saguaros" once.  Truly Majestic!


Submitted by wiseoldwoman on October 24, 2020 - 1:53am.

This destruction has nothing to do with being a Democrat or a Republican!  This stems from hatred with no respect or love for nature!


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