Tourist who got beat up for throwing rocks at beloved seal explains why he did it
A man who sparked outrage after a huge rock was hurled at a seal in Hawaii has claimed that he actually had good intentions.
Footage of Igor Lytvynchuk allegedly taking aim at the animal while stood on the shore of Lahaina beach on 5 May went viral, causing uproar among locals and social media users alike.
The 38-year-old, who is a Ukrainian US citizen who resides in the state of Washington, was subsequently beaten by a resident in retribution, before it was then announced that he would be facing charges.
He was arrested on 13 May in Seattle and charged with harassing and attempting to harass an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, in violation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Advert
According to the National Marine Fisheries Service (also known as NOAA), these animals are 'one of the most endangered seal species in the world'.
They are also protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and State of Hawaii law.
The specific seal involved in the alleged incident with Lytvynchuk was later identified as ‘Lani’, who is beloved by locals and seen as a symbol of the island's resilience following the Lahaina wildfires in 2023.
A criminal complaint filed against the US tourist stated that he had been tracking the animal's movements as she loitered near the shoreline, before he then allegedly hurled a large rock at her.
Thankfully, authorities said it just missed the seal, who then swam away.
When confronted on the sand by stunned beachgoers, it is claimed that Lytvynchuk brazenly told them he was 'rich enough to pay the fines' before walking away.
However, a very different explanation has now been put forward by his lawyer.
Myles Breiner, who is representing Lytvynchuk, said his client is aware he 'made a bad decision', but claims there is actually an innocent explanation behind what happened a few weeks back.
He told news outlet KHON2 of Lytvynchuk's side of the story: "I want to be resoundingly clear to the public - he never intended to injure the monk seal."
Instead, Breiner claims he was trying to protect some sea turtles (known as honu in Hawaii) that were situated on some rocks nearby.
“He wanted to scare the seal away from the honu he saw there,” Breiner said. “Apparently, there were two large turtles and one had already been knocked off the rock by the seal.”
Lytvynchuk supposedly grew fearful for the sea turtles as he has witnessed how 'aggressive' some marine animals like sea lions can be while fishing in Washington, Breiner said.
The lawyer continued: "Sea lions are very aggressive. They’ll take your bait, they’ll take your fish - that’s been his experience."
Lytvynchuk faces up to one year in prison and fines up to $50,000 if convicted.
According to Breiner, his client intends to take responsibility for violating the law, but insists he did not do so with the intention of harming the Hawaiian monk seal.
"He recognises he made a bad decision, but the decision wasn’t based on trying to hurt the animal," the lawyer said, before addressing claims about the alleged statement Lytvynchuk made about being wealthy enough to pay fines.
Describing it as 'a misinterpretation', Breiner added: The statement was, 'I can afford it'.’"
Hawaii News Now also reported that Breiner said Lytvynchuk 'had no idea of the significance of monk seals' and that he 'assumed that he was doing something good by scaring it away'.
"He’s devastated at the notion that people thought he wanted to injure the seal," the lawyer went on. "He’s going to pay the price. We’re not going into court and saying, "No, he didn’t do this' - but there’s always an explanation."
Breiner also told the publication that Lytvynchuk did not intend to press charges against the man who attacked him in wake of the alleged incident with Lani the seal.
Lytvnchuk is set to appear in federal court in Honolulu on 27 May.
Olivia Burke