Spiky issue

Today while watering I took a look at the oddly bent over Opuntia ficus-indica (Prickly Pear) by the information kiosk. Looks like it either got too heavy to hold itself up, or someone was harvesting fruit off it - anyway, a large part of it is broken.

I sawed off a dozen pads and put them in the compost bin - theoretically they should compos down nicely. If not, they'll be a painful annoyance! Lots more to saw off - if I do a few every couple days it should be done in no time. Hope the leather gloves hold up to the spines!