A couple in California have been fined $US18,000 ($24,047) for destroying 36 Joshua trees to make way for the construction of a house.
The San Bernardino couple were caught after a citizen submitted a tip through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's tip line.
The US Fish & Wildlife Service is currently reviewing the species for listing under the Endangered Species Act and the trees are already listed under the California Endangered Species Act, making it illegal to disturb, move, replant, remove or kill the species in the region.
Maximum penalties are up to $US4,100 and six months' jail for disturbing or destroying one of the trees.
A wildlife officer visited the scene based on the tip and found the couple had left, and subsequently discovered a freshly dug hole.
On further examination he discovered the buried Joshua trees and presented his findings to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office.
According to the District Attorney's Office, a 36-count misdemeanour complaint was filed against the couple, and the defendants were cooperative in the matter.
Joshua Trees typically live for about 150 years according to the National Wildlife Federation in America.
