How Vancouver Aquarium otters took over a Twitch channel featuring video gamers live streaming from hot tubs
One of Twitch’s newest and perhaps most controversial┬аchannels is dedicated to female video gamers live streaming┬аtheir game play from┬аhot tubs.
But sandwiched in between those videos, and┬аas┬аone of the most-viewed streams┬аon that channel, is live footage┬аof┬аotters frolicking away in their own pool at the Vancouver Aquarium.
What is going on, you ask? Well, we wondered about that too.┬а
First of all тАФ┬аwhat is Twitch?
Twitch is an online platform that allows gamers to┬аlive stream their play, share tips and┬аeven host podcasts.
Though it may sound like an odd concept for those who are not involved in the world of gaming, it’s hardly obscure. Last November,┬аa┬аTwitch live stream┬аbetween federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and U.S. lawmaker┬аAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez┬аmade headlines after it raised┬а$200,000 US in donations for initiatives aimed at reducing food and housing insecurity.
The game between politicians proved that streams can be highly profitable, with some gamers┬аscoring brand endorsements and┬аsponsorships.
Why are people gaming from hot tubs?
A recent trend on Twitch has seen female gamers streaming while in a hot tub.┬аIn fact, there’s an entire category dedicated to it called Pools, Hot Tubs┬аand Beaches.
Some said they started participating in the trend for a number of reasons┬атАФ to boost their viewers┬аor simply for fun.
But the trend isn’t without its critics.
Some Twitch users say it goes against the platform’s community guidelines┬аand is inappropriate for a platform popular with a younger audience.
The streamers, in turn, have said they’ve faced harassment on their channels and call criticism of the trend misogynistic.
Twitch addressed the issue in a blog, stating it “will not take enforcement action against women┬аor anyone on our service┬аfor their perceived attractiveness.”
What does all this have to do with otters?
If you head to the Twitch landing page for the Pools, Hot Tubs┬аand Beaches category, you’ll see тАФ between videos of gamers┬аin┬аtubs┬атАФ┬аa live stream dedicated to the sea otters from the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre.
The Marine Mammal Rescue channel is the second-most popular stream in the category at the time of publishing, with the live stream┬аsaying┬аviewers can check out the “#1 cold tub” stream of otters with the “thiccest fur.”
Rachel Nelson,┬аa sea otter trainer at the Vancouver Aquarium,┬аsays the channel averages around 3,000 viewers at any given time who can watch the otters play, feed and even go through training 24/7.
“I think there’s something very soothing about tuning in and seeing some fluffy, baby otters hanging out,” she said.
How did this happen?
This isn’t the┬аVancouver Aquarium’s first foray into live streaming. The organization┬аhas previously run live streams of otters, penguins and jellyfish on its┬аwebsite and on YouTube.
Nelson said the otter live stream began to draw a dedicated fan base after a baby otter named Joey was rescued when he was just days old. Fans of Joey flocked to YouTube’s comments section to ask trainers about his care and how he was doing.┬а
Nelson said volunteers with Marine Mammal Rescue thought to use Twitch because of its easy-to-use chat feature that allows watchers to submit questions that can be answered by trainers in real time.
She said Twitch’s creation of the Pools, Hot Tubs┬аand Beaches category only propelled the otters to more fame.
“They took advantage of the hot tub phenomenon.┬аI think it’s been a bit of a surprise for people going on that stream, but everyone seems to love otters,” she said.
“People have been getting so excited.┬аThey’ve been getting to know all of our otters. Some of the people can actually tell them apart from their whiskers or the colour of their fur.”
Does the aquarium profit from the stream?
The sea otters at the Vancouver Aquarium have all been deemed non-releasable by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Nelson says many were rescued as orphans within days of being born. They weren’t able to learn basic survival skills from their mothers.
Nelson said that while the aquarium hopes the stream will inspire donations and boost trips to the facilities, it doesn’t profit directly from the stream.
The pandemic has been tough on the Vancouver Aquarium, which had to shutter its doors to visitors and was eventually sold┬аto a U.S.┬аtourism company.
But Nelson said the stream has also broadened the aquarium’s audience from those who visit the otter enclosure in Vancouver to anyone in the world with an internet connection.
“We still get to do all that enrichment. We still get to spread the word about these amazing animals.”
