Multiple news outlets report that federal authorities charged a Washington state tourist with harassing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal after video captured him throwing a coconut-sized rock at the animal near Lahaina. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and highlights ongoing challenges protecting Hawaii’s critically endangered monk seals.
- Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington was arrested and charged with violating the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act
- Video from May 5 shows Lytvynchuk tracking and throwing a large rock at Hawaiian monk seal ‘Lani’ as she swam near Lahaina shoreline
- The rock narrowly missed the seal’s head but caused her to rear up and remain largely immobile for an extended period
- When confronted by witnesses, Lytvynchuk reportedly said he was ‘rich enough to pay the fines’ before walking away
- If convicted, he faces up to one year in prison per charge plus fines up to $50,000 under ESA and $20,000 under MMPA
- Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said Lani is beloved by locals and her return after the 2023 wildfires brought healing and hope (Winknews)
- The incident occurred in Lahaina, the community largely destroyed by deadly wildfires in 2023 (Winknews)
- Despite high-profile cases like this, authorities struggle to prosecute most monk seal harassment incidents due to limited enforcement resources (Civil Beat)
- Lytvynchuk is scheduled to appear in Honolulu court on May 27 (Civil Beat)
Sources
- Abcnews: Tourist charged after allegedly throwing rock at endangered seal in Hawaii
- Myclallamcounty: Tourist charged after allegedly throwing rock at endangered seal in Hawaii
- Wsjm: Tourist charged after allegedly throwing rock at endangered seal in Hawaii
- Winknews: US agents arrest tourist after video shows a rock hurled at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal’s head
- Civil Beat: People Usually Get Away With Harming Hawai’i’s Seals Despite Tourist Case
- Outdoors: Hawaii Tourist Charged After Viral Seal-Harassment Video
- Orlandosentinel: US agents arrest tourist after video shows a rock hurled at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal’s head
- Wsbradio: Tourist charged after allegedly throwing rock at endangered seal in Hawaii
- Mynorthwest: US agents arrest tourist after video shows a rock hurled at endangered Hawaii monk seal’s head
- Westhawaiitoday: Feds charge Washington man for throwing large rock at monk seal on Maui
- Kuow: Washington man arrested for allegedly throwing rock at seal in Maui
- Maui Now: Washington man charged with harassment for allegedly hurling large rock at endangered monk seal ‘Lani’
- Fox5Sandiego: Washington man arrested for throwing rock at endangered monk seal on Maui
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