38-year-old Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk of Covington, Washington will rue the day he chose to throw a rock at a seal that was minding its own business.
The seal, an endangered monk seal named Lani, who is beloved by the local community, was doing her thing swimming along the shoreline, when Lytvynchuk – for reasons known only to his twisted mind – picked up a large rock and hurled it at her.
A 37-year-old Seattle man allegedly threw a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui and when confronted allegedly said “I don’t care, I’m rich. Fine me with whatever you want. I can pay for it.” He was detained and the case has been referred to federal investigators pic.twitter.com/JOyqe36Eep
— SEATTLESUBMISSIONS (@SEATTLESUBMISS) May 7, 2026
Observers were horrified, with a woman crying out: “What are you doing?! Why would you throw a rock at it?! Hello?! You f–kin haole! He just threw a rock!”
When confronted, Lytvynchuk is alleged to have replied, “I don’t care, I’m rich. Fine me with whatever you want. I can pay for it.” This response got an appropriate reaction from those present, with the locals pursuing the tourist to his hotel and with one beating him as he tried to make it through the gate.
Hawaiian authorities vowed that consequences will be steep, reflecting widespread public anger that even saw the local who beat Lytvynchuk receive an official commendation. Authorities turned the case over to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement to explore charges.
Throw away the key!
A Washington man has been charged after allegedly throwing a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal on Maui.
— Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) May 14, 2026
According to U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson, Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, was charged with violating the Endangered Species Act and the… pic.twitter.com/ZKmO8bYb6Z
These charges have now been filed, with federal agents promptly arresting and charging Lytvynchuk with violations of the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson explained:
“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.”
Lytvynchuk is due today in Seattle federal court for an initial appearance, with a trial to follow. The charges he faces each come with a maximum one-year prison sentence, so if served consecutively, he will be behind bars for two years. He can also be charged a maximum of $70,000 a a fine.
Unless Lytvynchuk draws a particularly vengeful (and seal-lovin’) judge, it’s unlikely he’ll receive the maximum sentence, and more plausibly, the two one-year sentences would be served concurrently. But, even so, it’s deeply satisfying to see the man who brushed off local anger with an “I don’t care, I’m rich” having to deal with some actual consequences.
Maybe he’ll think a little harder next time before deciding to terrorize a wild animal that’s doing absolutely nothing to bother him.
Published: May 14, 2026 06:09 am