Rock Throwing And Harassment Of Endangered Hawaii Seals Under Investigation

Wildlife officials in Hawaii say the investigation of a man who was captured on video throwing a large rock at an endangered monk seal has been turned over to federal authorities.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) said its Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, (DOCARE), was alerted Monday by Maui Police Department Dispatch about a case of monk seal harassment at the beach in Lahaina.

A DOCARE officer en route to the scene contacted the reporting party and got a description of the suspect, described by officials only as a 27-year-old man from Seattle, Wash. The man was detained but declined to make a statement and requested his attorney.

DLNR said that since the endangered Hawaiian monk seal is federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the investigation has been turned over to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement.

Video of the incident circulated on social media, showing a man hurling a large rock at a monk seal swimming just offshore.

Maui resident Kaylee Schnitzer told KHON2 that she and another bystander saw the man throwing the rock at the animal and when they confronted him, the man replied, “I don’t care, I’m rich.”

“I turned around, and I was like, ‘You can’t do that’,” she told the outlet. “That’s when he told me, ‘… I’m rich. Fine me with whatever you want. I can pay’.”

Hawaii conservation officials said seal harassment is an ongoing problem. The DLNR said there have been “several” reports of people breaching a temporary fence at Kaimana Beach on Oʻahu, which was put in place to protect the resting area for Kaiwi (RK96), a 15-year-old female monk seal, and her pup after she gave birth on the beach May 3.

“This is a very crucial time in the life of this pup, so for these people to be breaching the area and getting close is not a good idea at all,” said DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla.

“If the mother seal perceives any human or pet to be a threat, she may attack. This is what happened during a 2022 encounter between a swimmer and mother seal at Kaimana Beach. The swimmer suffered lacerations to her face, back and arm,” Redulla added.

“From past monk-seal-related incidents, we know that some of the NOAA fines have been substantial, totaling several thousand dollars,” Redulla said. “To keep people and pets safe, and to protect our endangered marine life, we ask the public’s help by showing respect for these animals and following all guidelines for safe viewing.”