‘Rich enough to pay the fines’: Man accused of hurling rock at endangered Hawaiian monk seal faces judge in Seattle

The Covington man accused of throwing a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal will be released, but will head back to Hawaii to face federal charges.

Igor Lytvynchuk, 38, appeared before a Seattle judge Wednesday. Animal advocate Amanda Rosbrook Das was in the courtroom.

“I’m not happy,” Rosbrook Das told KIRO Newsradio. “I mean, the fact that he wasn’t in handcuffs, he’s walking out a free man and actually going back to Hawaii in a couple weeks.”

KIRO Newsradio reached out to Lytvynchuk’s attorney, who did not provide comment, as of this reporting.

Monk Seal harassment investigation on Maui

The Maui Police Department brought in the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement’s (DOCARE) Maui Branch on May 5 after receiving a report of “monk seal harassment.” After getting a description of the suspect from the reporting party, they located Lytvynchuk and detained him.

The rock was allegedly thrown at Lani, a 15-year-old female monk seal, who is behind a temporary fence at Kaimana Beach after giving birth to a pup on the beach recently.

“This is a very crucial time in the life of this pup, so for these people to be breaching the area and getting close is not a good idea at all,” DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said.

Federal charges filed under Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act

On Tuesday, federal prosecutors in Hawaii charged him by criminal complaint for harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, in violation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.

He was arrested Wednesday.

“The rock narrowly missed her nose, startling her, and causing her to rear up out of the water,” according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “Witnesses immediately confronted Lytvynchuk and told him they had contacted law enforcement, to which Lytvynchuk reportedly responded that he was ‘rich enough to pay the fines,’ before walking away. According to witnesses, Lani remained largely immobile for an extended period of time after the incident, which caused much concern over her welfare.”

Penalties: Up to one year in prison per charge and fines totaling $70k

If convicted, Lytvynchuk faces up to one year in prison for each charge, plus a term of supervised release, authorities said. Lytvynchuk also faces a fine of up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and a fine of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to the release.

“The unique and precious wildlife of the Hawaiian Islands are renowned symbols of Hawaii’s special place in the world and its incredible biodiversity. We are committed to protecting our vulnerable wild species, in particular endangered Hawaiian monk seals, like Lani,” U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson said. “We pledge that those who harass and attempt to harm our protected wildlife will face rapid accountability in federal court.”

Hawaiian Monk Seals: Protected under federal and state law

Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and MMPA, as well as Hawaiian state law, making it illegal to disturb, harass, feed, or otherwise harm a monk seal.

“If the mother seal perceives any human or pet to be a threat, she may attack,” Redulla said. “This is what happened during a 2022 encounter between a swimmer and a mother seal at Kaimana Beach. The swimmer suffered lacerations to her face, back, and arm.”

Past monk-seal-related harassment has led to NOAA fines totaling several thousand dollars.

“To keep people and pets safe, and to protect our endangered marine life, we ask the public’s help by showing respect for these animals and following all guidelines for safe viewing,” Redulla added.

How close can you get to a Hawaiian Monk Seal? DOCARE guidelines

DOCARE advises residents and tourists to keep dogs on a leash and well away from seals; stay at least 50 feet from all monk seals and at least 150 feet from mothers with pups; and avoid swimming near a mother and pup.

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