A Washington man has been charged in federal court after a witness recorded him throwing a rock at a critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal on a beach in Maui.
The suspect allegedly told a witness he "did not care and was 'rich' enough to pay any fines."
The incident, which occurred in early August 2024 in Lahaina, involved an adult male seal identified as R404 (known locally as Lani) by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Incident Details
According to a criminal complaint, a witness captured video showing Igor Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, throwing a rock described as the size of a coconut at the seal. The rock reportedly narrowly missed the seal's head but caused the animal to abruptly change its behavior.
When confronted by the witness, Lytvynchuk allegedly stated he "did not care and was 'rich' enough to pay any fines," prosecutors said.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Lytvynchuk was arrested by NOAA special agents near Seattle, Washington, on Wednesday. He surrendered as agents were seeking his arrest and is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Honolulu.
He faces charges of harassing and attempting to harass a protected animal, in violation of the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison. Potential fines include up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Defense Statement
Defense attorney Myles Breiner stated that Lytvynchuk did not intend to harm the seal but was attempting to protect sea turtles, as he mistook the monk seal for an aggressive sea lion.
Breiner also reported that Lytvynchuk has been physically assaulted, received death threats, and been doxed since the video surfaced, and that he declined to file a police report on the assault.
Legal and Conservation Context
Hawaiian monk seals are a critically endangered species. According to NOAA, approximately 1,600 individuals remain in the wild. Harassing, injuring, or killing the seals violates both state and federal law.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is investigating the incident and will provide findings to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement for possible federal action.
"The suspect is not the kind of visitor we welcome on Maui." — Maui Mayor Richard Bissen
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen called the U.S. Attorney to advocate for prosecution. On Instagram, he stated the suspect "is not the kind of visitor we welcome on Maui."
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) commented that the incident indicates NOAA should increase public education about protecting Hawaiian monk seals.