Man Accused Of Hurling Large Rock At Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal Pleads Not Guilty
UPDATE: 5/28/26
Igor Lytvynchuk, the man accused of hurling a large rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal on Maui, reportedly pleaded not guilty in federal court in Honolulu yesterday, May 27, 2026.
As previously reported by WAN, federal authorities allege that Lytvynchuk threw a large rock roughly the size of a coconut toward the seal while it was swimming in shallow waters in Lahaina. Thankfully, the rock reportedly just missed the seal’s head, but the incident sparked outrage across Hawaii and among animal advocates around the world.
Reports indicate that the judge ordered Lytvynchuk to stay away from all beaches in Hawaii, as well as marine wildlife, while the case moves forward. Another court hearing is reportedly scheduled for June 9.
If convicted, Lytvynchuk faces up to one year in prison for each charge, plus a term of supervised release. Lytvynchuk also faces a fine of up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act, a fine of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and a fine of up to $100,000 under the Criminal Fine Improvements Act.
His attorney has reportedly claimed that he mistook the monk seal for an aggressive sea lion and believed he was protecting nearby sea turtles.
Hawaiian monk seals are among the rarest marine mammals on Earth, with only approximately 1,600 remaining in the wild. They are federally protected, and harming or harassing them is illegal on both state and federal levels.
The heartbreaking incident has reignited conversations about the urgent need to respect and protect vulnerable wildlife that share our beautiful oceans and beaches.
