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Rock Thrown at Endangered Seal: Trial Set
10 Jun
Summary
- Man accused of throwing rock at endangered monk seal faces trial.
- The seal narrowly missed being hit by the rock.
- Defendant allegedly stated he was rich enough to pay fines.
A jury trial is scheduled for November 16 in Honolulu for Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington. He is accused of harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal. The incident occurred on May 5, 2026, in Lahaina, Maui, when Lytvynchuk was filmed throwing a rock at a seal named Lani.
The rock narrowly missed Lani's head, causing her to react with alarm. Witnesses reported the seal remained still for a significant period afterward. Lytvynchuk allegedly responded to confrontation by stating he was wealthy enough to pay any fines.
If convicted, Lytvynchuk faces potential prison time and substantial fines under federal wildlife protection laws. His attorney has stated that Lytvynchuk did not intend to harm the seal and believed he was scaring it away from sea turtles.
The attack drew widespread attention on social media, highlighting the need for increased tourist education about Hawaii's unique wildlife. Senator Brian Schatz has called for enhanced resources for conservation and enforcement efforts.
