Tourist says rock-throwing at monk seal was to protect sea turtles, lawyer claims
A Washington tourist, Igor Lytvynchuk, is charged with harassing a protected Hawaiian monk seal after prosecutors say he threw a rock at the animal in Maui; his lawyer says he meant to deter the seal from sea turtles and has since faced threats and doxxing. The case, under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, could bring fines and up to a year in prison per charge. NOAA and Maui officials emphasize monk seals’ fragility and the need for public education, while video evidence and eyewitnesses underpin the prosecution.