/ Modified oct 6, 2017 3:48 p.m.

Park Service Seeking Tips in Saguaro Shooting

Vandals broke multiple laws by shooting a protected plant in a national park.

Saguaro Shot Hero This century-old saguaro cactus was found damaged by a shotgun.
National Park Service

Saguaro National Park officials are seeking information that could help them find the person or people who shot a century-old saguaro with a shotgun up to 14 times on park land.

The cactus, estimated to be between 100 and 150 years old, is not expected to survive.

Investigators found 14 shotgun shells and believe the damage occurred between one and four weeks ago.

Saguaros are a protected species in Arizona, which makes damaging one a crime. Discharging a firearm in a park is also a crime, as is removing or harming a natural or cultural resource in a park.

A release from Saguaro National park said, "Penalties for damaging park resources and discharging a firearm within park boundaries may include a fine up to $5000 or six months in jail."

Those with information that could help determine the vandal's identity are asked to call the National Park Service Investigative Service Tipline at 888-653-0009. Callers may remain anonymous.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona