Maya Higa

Maya Elaine Higa is an American conservationist, wildlife educator, Twitch streamer, and YouTuber. She founded Alveus Sanctuary, a nonprofit exotic animal sanctuary and virtual education center in Austin, Texas. Higa started streaming on Twitch in 2019, blending wildlife education with interactive entertainment. By 2026, her streams had raised over $7.5 million for conservation. She won the League of Their Own award at the 2025 Streamer Awards and became the first Twitch streamer to deliver a TED Talk at TED2026. With over one million Twitch followers and 1.16 million YouTube subscribers, Higa has built a community that actively funds wildlife rescue and habitat restoration.[edit]

Higa grew up in California with a deep love for animals and the outdoors. As a teenager, she earned a state license to practice falconry, spending countless hours with birds of prey. She volunteered at wildlife rehabilitation centers, learning hands-on care for injured and orphaned animals. She studied biology and environmental science in college, though she never completed a formal degree. The turning point came in 2019 when she launched her Twitch channel. Initially just chatting about animals and sharing her falconry experiences, she quickly attracted a loyal audience drawn to her calm, educational style.[edit]

Higa's breakthrough arrived in 2021 with a 21-hour charity stream that raised over $500,000, directly funding the creation of Alveus Sanctuary. The sanctuary opened in 2022, offering virtual tours and educational programs. She continued hosting charity streams, collaborating with creators like Ludwig Ahgren and QTCinderella. In 2025, she won the League of Their Own award at the Streamer Awards. The following year, she made history as the first Twitch streamer to deliver a TED Talk at TED2026. By May 2026, her livestreams had generated more than $7.5 million for conservation. She also surpassed one million Twitch followers and 1.16 million YouTube subscribers.[edit]

Higa's brand is earthy, educational, and animal-centric. She often wears casual outdoor clothing, sometimes with a falconry glove, and streams from natural-lit enclosures. The media calls her the Twitch Conservationist, praising her blend of live streaming and serious wildlife work. Her content is calm, informative, and interactive, focusing on animal care and charity marathons. She avoids drama and keeps her social media professional yet warm. Fans donate to Alveus Sanctuary during streams and often name newly rescued animals after community members.[edit]

Maya Higa has cultivated a unique position where digital influence directly fuels real-world conservation, earning her the moniker 'Gen Z's Jane Goodall' through verified high-profile pivots away from typical streaming success. Her legend is anchored by the widely retold story of declining a professorship at Kai Cenat's Streamer University in July 2026 to prioritize saving endangered sperm whales, a choice that solidified her reputation as a serious figure in wildlife advocacy over mere internet fame. This commitment was further cemented by her June 2026 partnership with National Geographic on the 'We Found Whales' initiative and her April 2026 TED Talk titled 'One Hour for Earth,' which brought sanctuary work to a global intellectual stage. While iFANN has evaluated her profile, Maya Higa is currently EVALUATED_UNRANKED, meaning she does not hold a placement in the published Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. Her community, known officially as the Conservation Crew, operates with a distinct ethos where individual members are called Conservation Crew members. These fans view her as a bridge between internet culture and environmentalism, organizing around the promotion of Alveus Sanctuary rather than traditional celebrity worship. The crew remains vigilant about ethical standards, often citing her defense against accusations of animal exploitation as a foundational value that distinguishes her content from industry norms.[edit]

Maya Higa is a licensed falconer who frequently brings her birds into her streams, creating an immersive educational experience for viewers. She named her nonprofit, Alveus Sanctuary, after the Latin word for hollow, a nod to the natural habitats she strives to recreate within her facility. Among her many charges, a baby raccoon named Rocket rose to become a beloved fan favorite during his early days under her care. Beyond rescuing animals, Higa has planted over 1,000 native trees on the sanctuary grounds in Austin, Texas, transforming the landscape into a thriving ecosystem. Her loyal dog Koda also makes regular appearances, adding warmth to her professional yet accessible online presence. While her community goes by various informal names like Higa's Herd or the Sanctuary Squad, no single official designation exists. A defining moment in her lore involves her decision to turn down a prestigious role at Kai Cenat's Streamer University in July 2026; fans still recount how she chose to save endangered sperm whales instead, calling it the most significant pivot of her career. Another legendary chapter unfolded in June 2026 when she partnered with National Geographic for 'We Found Whales,' marking her transition from streamer to documentary collaborator. Her appearance at TED2026 in April remains a cornerstone event, where she delivered 'One Hour for Earth' to inspire millions to act for the planet.[edit]

Higa keeps her family life private. She has mentioned her mother in passing during streams but has not shared names or details about her parents. She has no siblings that she has publicly discussed. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her dog Koda and several rescue animals at Alveus Sanctuary. She does not have a spouse or children.[edit]

Higa was in a public relationship with fellow Twitch streamer Mizkif from 2020 to 2022. She has collaborated with streamers QTCinderella and Ludwig Ahgren on charity events. She cites Dr. Jane Goodall as an inspiration and has participated in events with the Jane Goodall Institute.[edit]

Higa was in a public relationship with fellow Twitch streamer Matthew Rinaudo, known as Mizkif, from 2020 to 2022. They met through the streaming community and collaborated on content. The split was amicable, both citing personal growth and different life paths. Since 2022, Higa has not publicly confirmed any new romantic relationships. As of 2026, she is single and focused on her sanctuary and conservation work.[edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Maya Higa's net worth at $1.8 Million. Her primary income sources include Twitch subscriptions and bits, YouTube ad revenue, brand sponsorships, and merchandise sales. Twitch revenue from her 1 million followers likely brings in $5,000 to $10,000 per month. YouTube ad revenue from her 1.16 million subscribers adds another $2,000 to $5,000 monthly. Sponsorships with brands like Chewy and Razer contribute an estimated $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Merchandise sales of branded apparel and accessories generate roughly $20,000 to $50,000 per year. Higa donates a significant portion of her streaming income to Alveus Sanctuary, which is a nonprofit and does not contribute to her personal net worth. She lives modestly in Austin, Texas, and has not publicly disclosed real estate or investment holdings.[edit]

Higa won the League of Their Own award at the 2025 Streamer Awards, recognizing her unique impact at the intersection of streaming and conservation. She has not won any other major awards.[edit]