The world’s biggest streaming platform, Twitch, donated $100,000 to Alveus Sanctuary, the exotic animal refuge founded by streamer Maya Higa. The cash injection was announced during the TwitchCon 2024 opening ceremony and has streaming fans all over the world shout out to the company’s leadership.
Maya Higa, often lovingly dubbed “bird girl” by her fans, has been using streams to raise awareness for wildlife conservation for years. In 2021, she took her passion to the next level by founding Alveus Sanctuary, a haven for exotic animals that can’t return to the wild. The sanctuary also serves as an educational hub, teaching people about the realities of the pet trade and the importance of wildlife conservation.
Twitch’s generous gift couldn’t have come at a better time. Running a sanctuary isn’t cheap—between animal care, staff costs, and educational programs, every penny counts. Maya keeps mentioning these facts in her stream whenever she can and many fans have already supported the cause. This new influx of cash will help Alveus continue its vital work and potentially expand its efforts.
But it’s not just about the money. This high-profile donation shines a spotlight on Maya’s work and the broader issues of animal conservation. This latest move is a win-win for both parties. Alveus gets much-needed funding, while Twitch scores some positive PR. Regardless of the motivation, this donation will make a real difference in the lives of exotic animals. And fans really appreciate it.
Sources close to the streamer reveal that she had considered leaving streaming altogether, struggling to balance her career as a streamer and being a wildlife activist. This support from Twitch could be the encouragement she needs to keep pushing forward with her conservation work.
Twitch was able to put their money where their mouth is with the donation and added a whole new level of wholesomeness to the event. It seems like the Twitch leadership wanted to farm some good karma amid some negative PR in the past months.
