A tourist who sparked outrage after throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui is now facing federal charges. The incident happened on May 5 in Lahaina, where the man allegedly targeted “Lani,” a beloved local seal known as a symbol of resilience after the 2023 wildfires.
Authorities identified the suspect as 38-year-old Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk of Washington. Witnesses said he followed the seal before throwing a large rock that narrowly missed her head. When confronted, he reportedly showed no remorse, claiming he was “rich enough to pay the fines.”
After the footage spread online, Lytvynchuk was arrested near Seattle and charged under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. If convicted, he could face up to one year in prison for each charge, supervised release, and fines totaling up to $70,000.
Federal officials stated they are committed to protecting Hawaii’s endangered wildlife and ensuring anyone who harms protected animals faces serious consequences.