Defense says rock-throw aimed to protect sea turtles, not harming monk seals

A Washington state tourist, 38-year-old Igor Lytvynchuk, is charged in Honolulu with harassing a protected animal after allegedly throwing a coconut-sized rock at an adult Hawaiian monk seal on Maui. His defense says he was trying to protect sea turtles and has since faced threats and doxxing; prosecutors say video shows him throwing the rock directly at the seal’s head, and NOAA identified the seal as a male named 'R404'. Lytvynchuk faces Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act violations, with potential penalties up to one year in prison per charge and fines up to $50,000 and $20,000, respectively. The incident drew condemnation from officials and highlights wildlife-protection efforts in Hawaii; monk seals are critically endangered with about 1,600 remaining.