A tourist in Hawaii was caught on video hurling a large rock at an endangered monk seal's head, later boasting that he was wealthy and unconcerned about any potential fines, according to the woman who recorded the incident.
Disturbing Attack on Maui
The disturbing attack occurred on Tuesday on Maui Island. A witness captured video of the incident, which has since circulated widely on social media, sparking outrage. In the footage, the rock can be seen landing close to the seal's head, and the animal later appears motionless in the water. Officials have stated that the seal was not formally identified, and it remains unconfirmed whether it was injured.
Online users have identified the individual as Igor Lytvynchuk, a 37-year-old from Seattle, Washington, who owns a shipping company. The woman who recorded the video, Kaylee Ku'ukamaleimakamae Schnitzer, told KHON2 that after confronting the man, he responded, 'I don't care, fine me. I'm rich,' before casually walking away.
Legal Consequences
The Maui Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) detained the suspect on Tuesday after receiving a report of monk seal harassment, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Monk seals are an endangered species protected by both federal and state law. Harassment of a monk seal is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison and fines of up to $50,000.
In a statement, DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla noted, 'From past monk-seal-related incidents, we know that some of the NOAA fines have been substantial, totaling several thousand dollars.' After a DOCARE officer arrived and spoke with the reporter, a man matching the description was detained. The state agency confirmed the man is a 37-year-old from Seattle, but did not release his name as no criminal charges have yet been filed. He was released shortly after detention, having declined to make a statement and invoked his right to an attorney.
Investigation Transferred to Federal Authorities
Because monk seals are protected under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, DOCARE has transferred the investigation to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Law Enforcement, a federal agency. The Daily Mail has reached out to the agency for comment on the suspect's identity and potential charges.
In a related case from 2017, a man named Shylo Akuna was sentenced to four years in prison for beating a Hawaiian monk seal with his fists.
