Tourist yells ‘I’m rich’ after beachgoers beg him to stop attacking endangered seal - before he’s detained
Yahoo News Canada • • nation
Key Points:
- A tourist was detained in Maui after being filmed throwing a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal named "Lani," narrowly missing the animal's head; the man reportedly boasted about being "rich" and not caring about consequences.
- The incident, captured by Kaylee Schnitzer, sparked widespread online outrage and highlighted the legal protections for Hawaiian monk seals, which are among the most endangered marine mammals and protected under state and federal law.
- Maui Mayor Richard Bissen condemned the tourist's behavior, emphasizing that such disrespectful actions towards wildlife and the local cultural environment are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
- Authorities from the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement questioned the suspect, a 37-year-old man from Seattle, who was later released pending further investigation; the case is being referred to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement for potential federal charges.
- Officials have not confirmed if the seal was injured and reminded the public to avoid disturbing protected species and report any harmful behavior to authorities.
