Igor Lytvynchuk Arrested And Facing Federal Charges After Alleged Attack On Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal
A Washington man accused of allegedly targeting an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui has now been arrested and is facing federal charges, according to newly released information from the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
Igor Lytvynchuk was arrested today, May 13, 2026, by special agents with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement after allegedly throwing a massive rock, roughly the size of a coconut, at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal named “Lani” in Lahaina, Maui.
Federal authorities say Lytvynchuk was charged by criminal complaint on May 12, 2026, for allegedly harassing and attempting to harass the endangered seal in violation of both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The shocking incident allegedly took place on May 5 while Lani was swimming peacefully near the shoreline in Lahaina, before footage of the encounter began circulating online and sparked widespread outrage.
According to investigators, multiple witnesses observed Lytvynchuk allegedly throwing a large rock directly toward the seal’s head. The appalling incident has fueled growing calls for justice and stronger enforcement to protect Hawaii’s vulnerable marine life.
Hawaiian monk seals are among the rarest marine mammals on Earth, with an estimated population of only around 1,600 individuals remaining in the wild. Found exclusively in Hawaii, the species faces ongoing threats from fishing line entanglement, boat strikes, pollution, and harassment.
For many wildlife advocates, the alleged attack on Lani is yet another heartbreaking reminder of the cruelty and disregard wildlife continue to endure at the hands of humans.
Lytvynchuk is scheduled to appear in federal court in Seattle on May 14.
WAN will continue following this developing case.
