A Ukrainian businessman has been accused of attacking a rare seal in Hawaii
The incident has been reported by local media and on social media.
In Hawaii, Ukrainian businessman Igor Litvintchuk has been accused of mistreating a rare monk seal.
According to local media, the incident took place on a beach on the island of Maui.
Reports claim that the man threw stones at a Hawaiian monk seal. One of the stones, according to eyewitnesses, narrowly missed the animal’s head.
The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the rarest species of marine mammals in the world. Conservationists estimate that there are around 1,500–1,600 of these animals left in the wild.
For the people of Hawaii, this species has special symbolic significance and is a protected species.
According to media reports, following comments from eyewitnesses, Lytvynchuk allegedly stated that he did not care about possible fines because he was “rich”.
After the video appeared on social media and local public groups, the incident quickly gained widespread attention.
Subsequently, reports emerged in the media that a local activist had decided to have an “educational chat” with the tourist, using physical force.
Following the scandal, the businessman, according to journalists, hurriedly left the island.
The reports also noted that Litvintchuk could face criminal charges for the alleged cruel treatment of a protected animal.
Various sources mentioned a possible sentence of between one and five years’ imprisonment, depending on how the offence was classified.
According to media reports, following the incident, the Hawaiian authorities publicly commended a local conservationist who intervened in the situation.
The case itself received widespread attention due to the protected status of the Hawaiian monk seal and active discussion on social media.
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