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.<\/p>\n
LAHAINA, Hawaii \u2014 Hawaii officials are investigating Instagram posts that appear to show a Seattle man throwing an object toward a Hawaiian monk seal off the Lahaina shoreline on the island of Maui, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources<\/a> (DLNR).<\/p>\n The department said the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement\u2019s Maui Branch was notified by Maui police dispatch Tuesday about a reported case of monk seal harassment.<\/p>\n “He was picking up was like a rock the size of a coconut. Like it wasn’t no small rock, it was the size of a coconut, and he threw it right directly aiming towards the monk seal’s head,” said Kaylee Schnitzer, who witnessed the incident.<\/p>\n She said the suspect said “I don’t care, I’m rich,” when he was confronted.<\/p>\n When the officer arrived, they contacted a 37-year-old man from Seattle who matched that description of the suspect, according to DLNR.<\/p>\n The man was detained, identified and advised of his legal rights. DLNR said he declined to make a statement and requested an attorney.<\/p>\n Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and state law. It is illegal to disturb, harass, feed or harm a monk seal. Violations can lead to fines or criminal penalties.<\/p>\n Anyone who witnesses a possible violation involving a marine animal in Hawaii is asked to report it to NOAA\u2019s Office of Law Enforcement at 800-853-1964.<\/p>\n
No criminal charges have been filed against the 37-year-old suspect. Officials are not releasing the man\u2019s name.<\/p>\n The state investigation was turned over to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s Office of Law Enforcement for further review and possible action under the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act. NOAA is investigating the incident, according to reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n The suspect could face steep fines for harassing the seal, named Lani.<\/p>\n
\nInvestigation underway <\/p>\n