Photo: Department of Justice
A tourist from Covington, Washington, was arrested on Wednesday (May 13) for allegedly throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui. Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, faces charges of harassing a protected animal under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The incident, which occurred on May 5, was captured on video and sparked outrage across Hawaii. The footage shows Lytvynchuk hurling a coconut-sized rock at "Lani," a beloved seal, as she swam near Lahaina's shore. Witnesses reported that the rock narrowly missed Lani's head.
Lytvynchuk was identified through online sleuthing after the video went viral. According to the criminal complaint, when confronted by witnesses, Lytvynchuk reportedly claimed he was "rich enough to pay the fines" and walked away.
The U.S. Attorney’s office in Honolulu emphasized the importance of protecting Hawaii's unique wildlife. "We pledge that those who harass and attempt to harm our protected wildlife will face rapid accountability in federal court," said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson.
Lytvynchuk was arrested by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) agents near Seattle and is scheduled to appear in federal court on Thursday (May 14). If convicted, he could face up to one year in prison for each charge, along with fines totaling up to $70,000.
The Hawaiian monk seal is critically endangered, with only about 1,600 remaining in the wild. Local officials, including Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen, have condemned the act, stressing the importance of respecting and protecting Hawaii's wildlife. "Lani is not just a seal to us; she is part of our ocean ohana in Lahaina," Bissen stated.