TikTok video of a man spanking a seal in Hawaii is under federal investigation

State and federal authorities are investigating a TikTok video of a man slapping a monk seal in Hawaii.

The video, showing a man slapping a seal while the song “Smack That” by Akon plays, was first posted by TikTok user Eric Mustevoy, according to Maui Now. It was reposted on Instagram by user hungryhungryhawaiian.

Mustevoy told Maui Now that he taped the video on a beach in West O’ahu but that it wasn’t him in the video.

“I just witnessed some guy doing it and captured it on camera,” he said. “I was just recording the video and I noticed some people taking pics with it and this guy just ran and did it. I would never do that in the first place. And I wouldnʻt be stupid to post it if I did it. Because I know itʻs illegal. But I was wrong (for) ... posting it.”

Mustevoy also apologized in a post on Instagram.

“I wanted to make a public apology for the video I had posted of the Monk Seal when I was visiting Hawaii,” he wrote. “It’s hard for me to find the right words given I was completely in the wrong. First and foremost, I would like to make it known that it was not me in the video however, I should not have even for a split second, thought it was okay to post something so disrespectful.”

Authorities told Hawaii News Now that they reached out to Mustevoy and are investigating the video. Harassing a monk seal is considered a class C felony and is punishable by prison time and fines, the Department of Land and Natural Resources told Hawaii News Now.

The NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Regional Office said in a statement to Maui Now:

“We cannot comment on an ongoing investigation. However, we want to remind the public that Hawaiian monk seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act, and we recommend everyone follow our viewing guidelines for monk seals and other marine wildlife.”

This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 4:17 PM with the headline "TikTok video of a man spanking a seal in Hawaii is under federal investigation."