Saguaro National Park officials are trying to track down a shooter who vandalized a saguaro.
According to the park officials, a saguaro was shot as many as 14 times by a shotgun, damaging the main stem and one of the branches.
The saguaro -- which has lived between 100 and 150 years -- is expected to die.
Chief Ranger 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.”
The saguaro is located north of Golden Gate Road near Sandario Road, at Saguaro National Park West. Officials think the vandalism happened about a week ago but could possibly be up to a month old.
The vandal could face a $5,000 fine and six months in jail.
Those with information should call the National Park Service Investigative Service Tipline at (888) 653-0009.
