dailyloe.com – Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly throwing a rock at an endangered monk seal in Hawaii. The incident occurred on May 5, as caught in a viral video showing Lytvynchuk throwing a rock described as the “size of a coconut” at Lani, a local monk seal.
Authorities stated that Lytvynchuk was charged with violating the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. He was arrested at his home in Washington.
A witness, Kaylee Schnitzer, reported that Lytvynchuk stated, “I’m rich. Fine me with whatever you want. I can pay for it. I come here every month.” The U.S. attorney’s office quoted that Lytvynchuk claimed he was “rich enough to pay the fines.”
Prosecutors noted that the rock thrown by Lytvynchuk landed in the water, narrowly missing the seal’s head. This action caused Lani to abruptly alter its behavior.
Witnesses indicated that Lani was “clearly not aggressive.” Following the incident, the seal reportedly “sprung” out of the water and remained largely immobile for an extended period.
In a separate incident, a local individual, described as a shirtless vigilante and referred to as an “environmental activist” by Hawaii State Sen. Brenton Awa (R), was seen attacking Lytvynchuk. Awa issued a letter of recognition to this activist, emphasizing the importance of protecting local wildlife.
Although the attorney stated that they do not condone violence, they acknowledged the significance of educating individuals about the consequences of harming wildlife.
