Washington Man Charged With Harassing Endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal

Prosecutors said the man threw a rock at the seal known as Lani on May 5 in the Lahaina area of Maui. The man had been observed watching the seal along the shoreline before the incident, according to prosecutors. Video footage showed a large rock being thrown toward the seal's head.

The projectile nearly struck the animal in the nose, startling it and causing it to rear out of the water. Witnesses reported that the seal remained largely immobile for an extended period afterward, raising concerns about its condition. When bystanders confronted the man and told him authorities had been contacted, he responded that he was rich enough to pay any fines, prosecutors said.

If convicted, the man faces up to a year in prison for each charge. He could also be fined up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act and up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The man was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Thursday.

Hawaiian monk seals are listed as critically endangered, with about 1,600 remaining in the wild. The population faced further pressure after a deadly wildfire in 2023 destroyed parts of their habitat on Maui. The seal known as Lani had returned to the area following the fires.

Maui said the charges send a message that cruelty toward protected wildlife will not be tolerated. The mayor said he had contacted the U.S. attorney in Honolulu to urge prosecution. Officials described the seal as a symbol that brought a sense of healing to the community after the wildfire.

The U.S. attorney in Hawaii stated that the region's wildlife holds special importance. Officials said they are committed to protecting endangered Hawaiian monk seals and will pursue accountability for those who harm them. The incident drew public attention after a witness shared video of the event on social media.