The visitor who threw a rock at an endangered monk seal on Maui claims he was trying to protect sea turtles and didn’t know about Hawaii’s monk seals. He faces federal charges and a court appearance on May 27.
- Igor Lytvynchuk’s attorney says his client thought he was protecting sea turtles from an aggressive seal.
- The Washington fisherman claims he was unfamiliar with Hawaiian monk seals and their protected status.
- Lytvynchuk was physically assaulted after the May 5 incident video went viral but won’t press charges.
- He surrendered his passport and will appear in federal court in Honolulu on May 27.
- The defendant is considering donating to wildlife protection efforts as part of his response.
Source: Hawaii News Now
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