Feds charge Washington man for throwing large rock at monk seal on Maui
Honolulu Star-Advertiser • • general
Key Points:
- Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, from Covington, Washington, has been federally charged for throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal named "Lani" in Lahaina on May 5, violating the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.
- Lytvynchuk was arrested near Seattle by NOAA special agents and is scheduled for an initial court appearance in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
- The incident was witnessed and filmed, showing Lytvynchuk tracking the seal and throwing a large rock at its head, which narrowly missed and startled the seal; he allegedly responded to witnesses by stating he was "rich enough to pay the fines."
- U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson emphasized the commitment to protecting Hawaii's vulnerable wildlife and warned that those who harass endangered species will face swift federal prosecution.
- If convicted, Lytvynchuk could face up to one year in prison per charge, fines up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act, up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and supervised release.