A Ukrainian tourist in Hawaii is accused of hurling a rock at a critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal. His lawyer says he was trying to protect sea turtles.
The rock and the resting seal
The incident happened on May 26, 2026, on the island of Oahu. Igor Lytvynchuk, 47, allegedly threw a rock at a Hawaiian monk seal that was resting on a beach. The seal was not hit. Witnesses reported the act to authorities. Lytvynchuk was arrested and charged with a federal crime under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
A lawyer's explanation: turtle defense
Lytvynchuk's attorney, Michael Green, told the court that his client acted out of concern for sea turtles. Green said Lytvynchuk believed the seal was about to attack turtles nearby. The lawyer argued that his client did not intend to harm the seal. He said Lytvynchuk threw the rock near the seal, not at it, to scare it away from the turtles. Federal prosecutors disagree. They say the evidence shows Lytvynchuk threw the rock directly at the seal.
Why locals were outraged
Hawaiian monk seals are one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world. Only about 1,500 remain. They are protected under both U.S. federal law and Hawaii state law. The seals often haul out on beaches to rest, and locals are used to sharing the shore with them. Many residents see the animals as part of Hawaii's natural heritage. The idea that a tourist would attack one, even with a rock thrown nearby, angered many. The case has drawn widespread attention in Hawaii and beyond.
What happens next
Lytvynchuk faces up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 if convicted. He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Honolulu on June 10. The seal involved in the incident was not injured and has been seen resting on the same beach since the event. The case highlights the tension between human activity and wildlife protection in a place where endangered animals and tourists share the same small islands.
