Stray Dog Found On the Streets Now Helping Save Endangered Orcas
Meet Eba, the incredible “Whale Dog” helping save one of the world’s most endangered orca.
Eba is a conservation dog working with the organization Wild Orca Conservation Research, where her extraordinary nose helps scientists monitor the health of the endangered southern resident orcas in the Pacific Northwest — a population of only 75 whales.
But Eba’s story began very differently. She was once a stray, found wandering the streets of Sacramento after being abandoned and left to fend for herself. Thanks to Dr. Deborah Giles, Eba found not only a home, but a purpose. Dr. Deborah’s sister found Eba and Deborah adopted her.
Today, Eba is a highly trained scent detection dog capable of locating orca scat in the vast ocean — even pieces as small as a pinky nail. Her remarkable skill allows researchers to collect critical samples without ever needing to get close to the whales, helping scientists better understand the population’s health while minimizing disturbance.
There’s also a powerful reminder stitched into Eba’s harness: a piece of wetsuit from a favorite toy belonging to Tokitae, the southern resident orca captured from the wild in 1970 and held for decades at the Miami Seaquarium. After being retired from performances in 2022, plans were made to return Tokitae to her home waters in the Pacific Northwest, but she sadly passed away in 2023 before making the journey. Dr. Deborah says the keepsake serves as a reminder that “everything we’re doing is trying to save her family.”
And after a successful day on the job? Eba’s favorite rewards are simple: toys, cuddles, and praise. Described by Dr. Deborah as “a lovely being,” Eba brings joy wherever she goes — and hope for a species fighting to survive.