Federal authorities have arrested and criminally charged a man they say was caught on video hurling a rock at an endangered monk seal named "Lani" in Hawaii.
Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, was seen and filmed on May 5 at the shoreline in Lahaina, Maui, "tracking the movements" of Lani as she playfully pushed a floating log, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Hawaii said in a news release on May 13. Lytvynchuk then picked up a large rock, aimed and threw it at Lani's head, according to the release.
"The rock narrowly missed her nose, startling her, and causing her to rear up out of the water," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Witnesses told investigators that Lani appeared immobile for some time after the rock-throwing incident, causing concern for her well being.
When confronted by nearby witnesses and told they were calling authorities, Lytvynchuk allegedly replied that he was "rich enough to pay the fines," according to prosecutors.
Video of the rock being thrown at Lani was widely shared online, drawing alarm and outrage on the animal's behalf. State and federal authorities soon said they were launching investigations and would hold the beach visitor accountable. Lytvynchuk was briefly detained and questioned but declined to make a statement last week, investigators previously said, without identifying him as the suspect.
