Tourist throws rock at Maui monk seal; faces federal fine
A visitor on Maui threw a rock at Lani, an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, while bystanders recorded the attack. Bystanders then subdued the attacker before authorities moved in, and federal wildlife charges could carry fines up to $50,000. About 1,500 Hawaiian monk seals remain worldwide, mostly in remote northwest islands, and federal protections aim to deter harassment that threatens their recovery.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen says tourist who threw rock at Lani, a local Hawaiian monk seal, in viral video will be prosecuted The person has been identified as a 37‑year‑old tourist from Seattle, Washington "Lani is a beloved seal and cherished member of Lāhainā's ocean ʻohana"
Uncle Doofus173He's from Kent, Washington. Which is south of Seattle. Prosecute the 💩 out of that jerk. Maybe toss him into a volcano.
Tex “Now Ya Done Pissed Me Off” Prinster145Do we all get to throw rocks at him?
Popstonox121Officials said the 37‑year‑old visitor was questioned by state authorities and released. Because he has not yet been criminally charged, DLNR has not released his identity. NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement has taken over the case. Article: www.nbcbayarea.com/news/nationa...
Do Americans ever wonder why they are not popular worldwide? This is an example.
I’m BLACK & I’m proud-say it loud…10337 years old? He should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. He is a sick person.
Deborah J Miranda97My first instinct was to say that as a Seattleite, I was embarrassed that someone from Seattle injured an animal. But in all honesty, I’m embarrassed to be a human. We don’t deserve these beautiful animals. People suck
Martini Shot 🎬🍸80He should also be banned permanently from visiting Hawaii in addition to jail time.
KittenKoder67Seattle won't be nice to him anymore. Looking forward to the news about him moving to Florida.
Rose46I hope Lani is ok. If that scumbag doesn't rot in jail I hope he rots in hell.
❤️KathiInCali☀️37What’s scumbag. “Fine me, I’m rich”. He wanted to cause harm. You don’t pick up and throw huge rock otherwise. Hopefully he has a record and won’t receive the lightest sentence. Being that he enjoys hurting animals, he probably does.
starrling35What a shit person he is. Poor Lani. Sending air hugs to her. Dear Maui Mayor: If it becomes a federal offense, I'm pretty certain the perpetrator will receive a pardon from the Felon in the WH. That's what he does. Please keep it state and throw the book at him.
Jenni33There are times I do wonder if the punishment shouldn't be 'an eye for an eye' with animal abusers/harrassers. Stick dude in a water tank and throw coconuts at him for awhile while his hands are tied?
Inhousecookmartin25Poor seal. Is the seal ok?
Blah Gerrera22Not to be pedantic, but-- He's from Kent, which is very not Seattle. Kent is a shithole.
Irina VanPatten22WTF! We have seals in Seattle. Everybody knows you leave them alone.
Vermin F. Cockwolf18Igor Lytvynchuk of Covington, WA, got beat down by locals not long after. But he also needs to go to trial and get thrown under the jail. www.tiktok.com/@annekasvens...
kellieturner.bsky.social18WTF is wrong with people????? Everyday there's weirder, crueler, stupider shit than the day before...I just don't get it? Is it the pervasive media or has a large percentage of people always been this fucked up?
cybskysocial.bsky.social16Hope they throw the book at him
AltEgo PhD15I am so sorry some fool from my hometown thought that was a thing he needed to do. A lot of people in Seattle don’t respect the other beings who call those lands and waters their home, like seals. They should learn from indigenous peoples of the Pacific Rim. Glad he’s being held accountable.
Gina10I absolutely detest animal abusers. 😡
BestBets10After being a “Seal Sitter” for several years in West Seattle, was thrilled to see a monk seal swim by in Honolulu last summer, even tho we had to get out of the water lol. This makes me so angry, the one jerk, ALWAYS a guy, who decides he just has to be an asshole. Prosecute the heck out of him.
Linda8They should throw the book at him. Too bad they can't wrap a rock around it.
yellowlimo.bsky.social7What a nasty person. 🤬 So disrespectful and cruel. The man should be prosecuted.
TheValuesVoter7Why would you throw a rock at an animal? If you’re not showing signs of criminal insanity?
resistnow47.bsky.social6What kind of a SCUMBAG would throw rocks at that creature ? 37 year old Shit stain of a human being.
Duro Wolff ☥ 🛠 🖋6Why would someone do that?
Fun6Posting a photo of the mayor instead of the guy who threw the rock is a bit confusing and feels like you did that on purpose
chw111.bsky.social6Can we all take turns throwing giant rocks at this guy?
Sarcasmo Ultra BLAM!6Assholes who throw rocks at any animal deserve immediate swatage.
Olly & Onyx and Gretchen5What is wrong with people? The culprit is 37 years old and behaves like a little child. Good you're prosecuting him! I hope Lani is doing okay.
Lechter Detector5A lot of men are very broken & soulless these days. How utterly disgusting.
cliffgal5Make him pay a pretty penny for doing that and an example for any other jerks.
Property of the State5Good. Who throws a mini boulder at an innocent animal? Why? For fun? This person deserves all that is coming to him. Wonder what the odds are that this guy has domestic violence in his past.
United We Stand5Stone the m’er f’er. Reciprocal punishment should be the ruling
factsonly007.bsky.social4GOOD!! That was some straight up vile BS!!! UGH people make me sick
cojosurfer8054This kook doesn’t rep Seattle. Throw the book at his ass
lyn-lynette.bsky.social3May justice come hard and swift. Evil fuque.
Elfkin3Why are people so mean?
tunalapumpie.bsky.social3He is from Kent, Washington. Very different from Seattle. Not that Seattle doesn’t have its own share of asshat’s, but this guy is not one of them.
Stefany337? Jeezis... being stupid and hateful really ages a person.
Henry M Bobo3Feed the tourist to the sharks. What a cruel moron.
fire65.bsky.social3People can be such assholes! Prosecute him to the fullest! Rotten f#$k should get stoned
Sean A. Morgan3Good. You don't mess with ohana. Periodt.
Leslie McLaughlin2We need a name! That asshole needs to be shunned into oblivion.
Jessica Brown2Good What a creep 😡
Cat Mom2I'd love to throw a rock at that person. Unbelievable!
FreyaLux2Imagine having such a miserable mindset or to prove your manhood that you have to throw a big a** rock at a seal! 🤬🤬🤬
Don Quixote2He's been identified but you don't use his name🤦♂️
ElleKaye🇨🇦 (she/her | elle/la)2Glad they found person and will prosecute. Honestly, who behaves that way? And on vacation, in Hawai? WTF? 🤦♀️
Support Public Radio & Free Speech2What a complete dick! I'm glad he's been identified. Let Lani take a good bite out of him
pamc84.bsky.social2Can I throw rocks at that motherfucker from Kent, WA?
Leefeller2Why, would anyone do this? Same feeling why anyone would vote for Trump?
Artbeast_1980 Son Of The Scorpion2Put him with leopard seals.
"threw a rock at a Monk seal" ok i mean that's a pretty dumb thing to do "the seal ,named Lani" IT HAD A NAME? you screwed up, buddy
Sephoris55I don't think he'll ever comprehend how lucky he is that he missed
R77so wild to me that anyone would throw a rock at a seal, it's like throwing a rock at a cute puppy
Colonel ⭕️olong4Went on a snorkeling trip on Maui and the elephant seals love to lay around the remnants of Molokini, which was one of the boat’s stops. The crew announced that under no circumstances should we even think of going near them.
