Twitch streamers Alexander Prynkiewicz, known as FaZe Adapt, and Maya Elaine Higa came face to face with a brown bear during a live broadcast from Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, leaving Adapt convinced his life was about to end.
The pair, joined by guides and a small group of about six or seven people, sat on a grassy riverbank beside a shallow, rocky stretch of water on an overcast morning. Mist hung over the surrounding mountains and green hills as temperatures hovered around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It was roughly 10:55 a.m. local time during their multi-day “NOT GEO: Alaska” marathon IRL streams that began August 23, 2026.
A brown bear, one of several in the area, suddenly charged through the water nearby while pursuing salmon. The animal passed within a few meters of the group before focusing on the fish. Prynkiewicz later described his reaction on stream, saying his heart felt like it was “almost coming out of his chest” and that he “really thought this was it.” He told viewers he believed the moment was over.
Higa, wearing a beige beanie, pinkish-mauve jacket and Simms waders with her hair in braids, smiled and laughed in relief once the immediate danger passed. She covered her mouth and reacted with a mix of excitement and calm. Prynkiewicz, in a black jacket and dark pants while holding a red phone, looked shaken but continued speaking and gesturing as the stream rolled on.
Katmai National Park and Preserve is a well-known gathering spot for brown bears, also called grizzlies, during the salmon run. The animals feed heavily in the short window available before winter to build fat reserves. Hunting is prohibited inside the park, and the bears have grown accustomed to the presence of people. Higa explained on the broadcast that the bears’ sole concern was fishing and that they showed little interest in the human visitors.
“We are at Katmai National Park right now. This is where bears come to eat salmon and get really fat, and the only thing they’re concerned about is fishing. And people can’t hunt bears here. They are not really afraid of people. They don’t really care that we are here,” Higa said.
Prynkiewicz, 29, was born Alexander Hamilton Prynkiewicz on June 5, 1997, in Phoenix, Arizona. He rose through Call of Duty content and joined FaZe Clan after earlier work with SoaR Gaming. He streams and posts vlogs, pranks and reactions to millions of followers across YouTube and Twitch. Higa, 28, was born Maya Elaine Higa on May 24, 1998, in Northern California. She founded the nonprofit Alveus Sanctuary in Austin, Texas, after studying agricultural education and communication at California Polytechnic State University. Her streams focus on wildlife education and conservation.
The two have collaborated on previous nature-focused streams, including a South Africa trip. This Alaska marathon was planned as a multi-day outdoor adventure highlighting the state’s wildlife and landscapes. Guides accompanied the group and carried bear spray. Chat reactions during the encounter mixed fear and excitement, with messages such as “oh shitttt,” “GULP” and “HOLY” flooding the screen.
Clips of the moment spread quickly on X and other platforms. One widely shared video showed the bear moving through the shallow river while the streamers remained still. No one was injured. The group later continued their itinerary after the animals moved closer and the decision was made to leave the immediate area.
Brown bears at Katmai rarely attack people under these conditions. They recognize humans as potential threats when in groups and prioritize the rich food source available during the salmon run. Park regulations and the animals’ focus on feeding help keep encounters non-confrontational when visitors follow guide instructions and maintain distance from food sources.
Prynkiewicz and Higa resumed streaming after the close call. The Alaska series continued with boat tours, helicopter views and further wildlife sightings, drawing hundreds of thousands of concurrent viewers across the marathon days.
