Lawyer says tourist accused of hurling rock at Hawaiian monk seal has been doxed and threatened
Yahoo • • general
Key Points:
- Igor Lytvynchuk, a 38-year-old tourist from Washington state, is charged with harassing a protected Hawaiian monk seal after allegedly throwing a coconut-sized rock at the endangered animal on a Maui beach.
- Prosecutors presented video evidence showing Lytvynchuk throwing the rock, narrowly missing the seal's head, and noted his dismissive attitude toward the incident, while his defense claims he mistook the seal for an aggressive sea lion and was trying to protect sea turtles.
- Since the incident, Lytvynchuk has reportedly been physically assaulted, threatened, and doxed, with his attorney arguing he is being unfairly targeted as a white outsider.
- Hawaiian monk seals are critically endangered, with only about 1,600 remaining in the wild; Lytvynchuk faces up to one year in prison and fines up to $70,000 if convicted under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.
- Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz emphasized the need for increased public education on protecting Hawaiian monk seals following the incident.