Video of Man Throwing Rock at Seal in Hawaii Sparks Anger
Authorities say the 37-year-old visitor was questioned and released as state and federal investigators review possible wildlife protection violations.
- On Tuesday, a 37-year-old visitor from Seattle, Washington, allegedly threw a large rock at Lani, an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, while swimming off the West Maui coast.
- Witness Kaylee Schnitzer reported the man threw a rock 'the size of a coconut' directly at the seal's head, dismissing her concerns by claiming he was wealthy enough to ignore potential fines.
- Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources confirmed on Wednesday that its Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement detained the man shortly after the incident, referring the case to federal investigators.
- Maui Mayor Richard Bissen condemned the act, vowing to ensure the suspect is 'prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,' while the man declined to make a statement to authorities.
- With only an estimated 1,400 to 1,600 Hawaiian monk seals remaining, the species is protected under the Endangered Species Act, which makes harassing the animals a federal crime.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Tourist caught on camera throwing huge rock at docile Hawaiian monk seal
A disturbing video circulating online is sparking outrage after it appeared to show a tourist in Maui tossing a sizable rock toward an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, according to Fox 13 Seattle. The clip, posted by X user Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploffkins), has drawn widespread attention online because the seal appeared to be calmly swimming near shore when the object splashed down close to its head. Tourist throws a rock at Hawaiian monk seal, a…
Maui mayor vows prosecution for endangered monk seal attack
A man was caught on video throwing a large rock at a Hawaiian monk seal, sparking outrage in the community and prompting Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen to demand serious consequences for anyone who harms or threatens protected wildlife.
9NEWS Denver
Seattle man investigated after viral video shows rock thrown at endangered monk seal in Hawaii
Viral posts on Instagram appear to show a Seattle man throwing an object toward a Hawaiian monk seal off the Lahaina shoreline on the island of Maui.
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