{"id":959877,"date":"2026-05-14T18:49:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:49:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/959877\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T18:49:22","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T18:49:22","slug":"tourist-charged-after-rock-hurled-at-endangered-seal-in-hawaii-in-viral-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/959877\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourist charged after rock hurled at endangered seal in Hawaii in viral video"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Evening<\/p>\n

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the US<\/p>\n

\"Evening<\/p>\n

A Washington man has been arrested by federal agents after a tourist was filmed hurling a rock at an endangered seal in Hawaii<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u200bIgor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk has been charged with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, in violation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act. <\/p>\n

The 38 year-old from Covington was detained by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration special agents on Wednesday near Seattle<\/a>. <\/p>\n

According to prosecutors, Lytvynchuk flung the rock at a seal known as \u201cLani\u201d a week prior on May 5.<\/p>\n

\"IgorIgor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk has been charged after a video showed a man hurling a rock at an endangered seal (U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawaii)<\/p>\n

\u200bIf convicted, he faces up to a year in prison<\/a> for each charge, a fine of up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and a fine of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.<\/p>\n

Lytvynchuk had been filmed observing Lani along the shoreline of the Lahaina area of Maui<\/a> before the incident, prosecutors said. <\/p>\n

Footage of the incident showed a large rock being hurled at the seal\u2019s head. The projectile almost hit the seal in the nose, startling her and causing her to rear out of the water<\/a>. \u200b<\/p>\n

Witnesses said Lani remained largely immobile for an \u201cextended period of time\u201d after the incident, causing concern for her welfare. <\/p>\n

\"LytvynchukLytvynchuk faces years behind bars and substantial fines if convicted (AP)<\/p>\n

When the rock thrower was confronted by witnesses who told him that they had contacted the authorities, he reportedly bragged that he was \u201crich enough to pay the fines,\u201d according to prosecutors.\u200b<\/p>\n

The incident went viral after a witness named Kaylee Schnitzer shared the clip on social media<\/a>. <\/p>\n

In the video, Schnitzer can be heard shouting: \u201cWhat are you doing? Why would you throw a rock at it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said the charges send a clear message that cruelty toward protected wildlife won\u2019t be tolerated. The mayor said he had called the U.S. attorney in Honolulu to advocate for prosecution.<\/p>\n

\u201cLani is a reminder that humanity and the instinct to protect what is vulnerable are still values people can unite around,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Lani,Lani, the seal, reared up after the rock hit the water (U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawaii)<\/p>\n

Hawaiian monk seals are a critically endangered species with only 1,600 remaining in the wild after a deadly wildfire in 2023 largely destroyed the community. <\/p>\n

Lani\u2019s return after the fires brought a sense of healing and hope during a difficult time, Bissen said.<\/p>\n

U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson said that Hawaii\u2019s wildlife is a symbol of the region\u2019s \u201cspecial place in the world\u201d and warned action would be taken against those who harm it. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are committed to protecting our vulnerable wild species, in particular, endangered Hawaiian monk seals, like Lani,\u201d he said.\u200b<\/p>\n

\u201cWe pledge that those who harass and attempt to harm our protected wildlife will face rapid accountability in federal court.\u201d <\/p>\n

Lytvynchuk was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Thursday.<\/p>\n