Tohono Chul mourns the loss of its beloved cactus Gumby

At one time, there were thought to be fewer than 200 crested saguaros in existence. Today, the Sonoran Desert is home to well over 2,000 crested saguaros, according to Tohono Chul.

Gumby eventually developed bacterial necrosis, a disease that commonly kills older saguaros after Erwinia bacteria enter through damaged areas of the cactus. While preventative measures can be taken, the disease is typically fatal.

Rather than removing Gumby, Tohono Chul plans to leave Gumby where he fell.

As Gumby decomposes over the coming years, the water stored inside his tissues will slowly seep into the surrounding soil, creating nutrient-rich “rot pockets” that provide moisture and organic matter in the desert. Dash said those conditions could help support fungi, insects, bacteria and even future saguaros.

“The best thing you can do when a big, beautiful saguaro like this collapses is just leave it where it is and let it really decompose and contribute to the ecosystem,” Dash said.

Eventually, all that will remain are Gumby’s woody ribs and the hardened bird nests, known as “boots,” which could remain in the desert for decades.

Beyond their ecological importance, saguaros hold deep cultural significance for the Tohono O’odham people. The annual saguaro fruit harvest marks the beginning of the O’odham New Year, and in some traditions, saguaros are considered kin.

For Dash, Gumby’s story is also a reminder of the important role every saguaro plays in the Sonoran Desert.

“They’re such an important keystone plant in our ecosystem,” he said. “Every saguaro kind of has a story to tell and has a role to play in the habitat that it exists within.”