Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleIgor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, a Washington man, has been arrested and charged after allegedly throwing a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in Maui. The 38-year-old faces charges under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act for harassing and attempting to harass the seal, known as 'Lani'. Prosecutors state Lytvynchuk flung the rock at Lani on 5 May, with footage showing the projectile almost hitting the seal's head, causing her to rear out of the water. If convicted, Lytvynchuk could face up to a year in prison for each charge, along with substantial fines of up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and a fine of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.The incident, which went viral after being shared on social media, has drawn strong condemnation from local officials, who emphasised the importance of protecting Hawaii's vulnerable wildlife. In fullTourist charged after rock hurled at endangered Hawaiian monk seal in viral videoThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in