A man is facing jail time after throwing a rock at an endangered seal in Hawaii. The incident was captured on video and led to charges.
In a press release, the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Hawaii, confirmed that they charged Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk on May 12. They charged him "for harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal by throwing a large rock at the seal's head, in violation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act."
The seal had been swimming in Lahaina, Maui, when the man threw a large rock at the animal.
"He threw it, directly aiming towards the monk seal's head," witness Kaylee Schnitzer, 18, previously told KHON2. "I turned around, and I was like, 'You can't do that,'" she said. "That's when he told me, '... I'm rich. Fine me with whatever you want. I can pay for it. I come here every month.' "
Animal conservationalists became concerned after the seal was "largely immobile for an extended period of time after the incident, which caused much concern over her welfare."
Charged for Throwing Rock at Endangered Seal
"Witnesses immediately confronted Lytvynchuk and told him they had contacted law enforcement, to which Lytvynchuk reportedly responded that he was 'rich enough to pay the fines,' before walking away," per the release.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Lytvynchuk was arrested by Special Agents of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Wednesday, May 13.
"The unique and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii's special place in the world and its incredible biodiversity. We are committed to protecting our vulnerable wild species, in particular endangered Hawaiian monk seals, like Lani," U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson said in a statement. "We pledge that those who harass and attempt to harm our protected wildlife will face rapid accountability in federal court."
