Man accused of hurling rock at rare seal was assaulted, lawyer says
A tourist from Washington state is accused of throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, claiming he was trying to protect sea turtles. His lawyer states that the man has faced threats and physical assault since the incident. The case has drawn significant public attention and condemnation in Hawaii.
- ▪Igor Lytvynchuk, 38, is charged with harassing a protected animal after a witness recorded him throwing a rock at a monk seal.
- ▪The incident occurred at a Maui beach, where the seal was identified as an adult male known as 'R404.'
- ▪Lytvynchuk's defense attorney claims he was trying to protect sea turtles and that his client has faced severe backlash since the video surfaced.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
U.S. Tourist accused of hurling rock at endangered Hawaiian monk seal was trying to protect sea turtles, lawyer says Updated on: May 27, 2026 / 7:21 AM EDT / CBS/AP Add CBS News on Google The defense attorney for a tourist from Washington state accused of hurling a coconut-sized rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal says his client was trying to protect sea turtles and has since been physically assaulted, threatened and doxed.Igor Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Honolulu Wednesday on charges of harassing and attempting to harass a protected animal.Earlier this month, a witness recorded what prosecutors say was a video of him throwing the rock at a Hawaiian monk seal at a Maui beach.
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