A Washington man has been arrested by federal agents after a viral video showed him hurling a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui. Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, faces charges of harassing and attempting to harass a protected animal under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The Incident
On May 5, Lytvynchuk was filmed observing the seal, known as “Lani,” along the shoreline of Lahaina, Maui. The footage shows him throwing a large rock at the seal’s head, nearly hitting its nose. The startled seal reared out of the water and remained largely immobile for an extended period, raising concerns for her welfare.
Witnesses and Viral Video
When confronted by witnesses who reported him to authorities, Lytvynchuk allegedly boasted he was “rich enough to pay the fines.” The incident went viral after witness Kaylee Schnitzer shared the clip on social media, where she can be heard shouting at the man.
Legal Consequences
Lytvynchuk was detained by NOAA special agents near Seattle on Wednesday. If convicted, he faces up to one year in prison per charge, a $50,000 fine under the Endangered Species Act, and a $20,000 fine under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. He was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Thursday.
Community and Official Response
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said the charges send a clear message that cruelty toward protected wildlife will not be tolerated. He noted that Lani’s return after the devastating 2023 wildfires brought healing and hope to the community. U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson emphasized commitment to protecting endangered species, warning that those who harm them will face rapid accountability in federal court.
Hawaiian monk seals are critically endangered, with only about 1,600 remaining in the wild. The species faces threats from habitat loss, entanglement, and human disturbance.
