Federal agents have arrested a Washington businessman who allegedly boasted that his personal wealth made him immune to the consequences of animal cruelty. The case has ignited international outrage and renewed scrutiny of wildlife protection laws in Hawaii.
Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, was taken into custody on 13 May after a viral video captured himhurling a 'coconut-sized rock'at the head of a critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal known to locals as Lani. The incident, which occurred on the shores of Lahaina, Maui, has propmted a swift federal response and widespread condemnation.
The incident occurred along the iconic Front Street shoreline, where Lani, a 20-year-old Hawaiian monk seal, was resting in the water. Witnesses described a scene of unprovoked cruelty on 5 May 2026. According to acriminal complaintfiled in the US District Court, the tourist took aim and threw a large rock directly at the animal's head, narrowly missing its nose.
The harrowing scene wascaught on cameraby an onlooker, Kaylee Schnitzer. In the video, Schnitzer can be heard shouting, 'What are you doing?' and 'Why would you throw a rock at it?' When Lytvynchuk was confronted, he reportedly dismissed their concerns, saying that he 'don't care' and he was 'rich enough to pay the fines' before walking away, the criminal complaint said.
Experts who assessed Lani following the attack confirmed that she did not sustain serious physical injuries and has returned to normal behaviour.
A scandal has erupted in the U.S. after a deranged wealthy man threw a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal — one of the rarest marine mammals in the world.The incident happened on the island of Maui and was caught on video. Witnesses tried to stop the man, but he just laughed and said…pic.twitter.com/03gMKrnzZo
Following the attack, the tourist soon found that local patience had reached its limit. The situation escalated intowhat locals described as 'street justice'when a resident, later dubbed an 'Ambassador of Aloha' by state officials, physically confronted Lytvynchuk.
Video of the altercation circulated widely on social media, reflecting the deep emotional connection between the Lahaina community and Lani. Her return to the area after the devastating 2023 wildfires had been seen as a symbol of hope.
A post shared by Sebastian Velasquez (@oahu_tattoo)
Lytvynchuk, of Covington, Washington, was arrested and charged 'for harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal by throwing a large rock at the seal's head,' the complaint read. Prosecutors allege that Lytvynchuk violated the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Source: International Business Times UK
