Summary (tl;dr)

Igor Lytvynchuk, a Washington state man, has been formally charged in federal court for allegedly throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui, an incident that went viral and sparked widespread public outrage.

Essential Background

On May 5, 2026, Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk was reportedly observed and filmed along the shoreline in Lahaina, Maui, tracking an endangered Hawaiian monk seal named "Lani" as she played with a floating log. Witnesses claim Lytvynchuk then picked up a large rock and hurled it directly at the seal's head, narrowly missing her. When confronted by bystanders who stated they would contact law enforcement, Lytvynchuk allegedly responded that he was "rich enough to pay the fines" before departing. The incident was captured on video and circulated widely online, leading to public condemnation, including from Maui's mayor. Hawaiian monk seals are a critically endangered species, with only about 1,600 remaining in the wild, and are protected under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.

The Full Story

Lytvynchuk was initially charged by criminal complaint on May 12, 2026, and subsequently arrested near Seattle, Washington, on May 13, 2026. He made an initial appearance in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle on May 14, 2026, where he was released pending further court appearances. On May 26, 2026, the U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, was formally charged by Information with "taking" an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, which includes harassing and attempting to harm the protected animal. Lytvynchuk is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Honolulu on May 27, 2026. His defense attorney, Myles Breiner, has stated that Lytvynchuk believed the animal was an aggressive sea lion threatening sea turtles and that his intention was to scare it away, not to harm the monk seal.

Why It Matters

This case has garnered significant attention due to the endangered status of the Hawaiian monk seal and the perceived callousness of the alleged act, particularly Lytvynchuk's reported dismissal of potential fines. It underscores the legal protections afforded to endangered wildlife and raises awareness about responsible tourism and respect for native ecosystems. The widespread outrage and subsequent federal charges demonstrate a strong commitment to prosecuting those who harm protected species in Hawaii. If convicted, Lytvynchuk faces up to one year in prison for each charge, along with fines of up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Geographic Location

• Lahaina, Maui County, Hawaii, United States (incident of rock throwing at seal)
• Seattle, King County, Washington, United States (arrest of Igor Lytvynchuk)
• United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Seattle, King County, Washington, United States (initial court appearance)
• United States District Court, Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States (scheduled court appearance for Igor Lytvynchuk)