Dr. Ruddle Helps Save Manatees and Panthers in Florida, Wildlife in Africa
During the day, Dr. Tammi Ruddle, a board-certified surgeon for Florida-based Animal Cancer Care Clinic, uses her extensive training and skills to help dogs and cats with cancer. In her spare time, she volunteers to help save the lives of manatees and panthers in Florida and wildlife in South Africa.
Most recently, she spent two weeks in South Africa as part of a mission led by the nonprofit organization, African Wildlife Vets, where she worked alongside veterinarians Drs. Rowan Leeming and Jennifer Lawrence to trim the horns of rhinos. Poachers have devastated the population of rhinos, as the horns, which ironically are simply keratin – just like fingernails, garner high prices at Asian markets. In some areas of the world, these horns are falsely thought to possess magical healing powers.
“These giant creatures are amazing,” explained Dr. Ruddle. “Up close they are mesmerizing and it’s hard to believe anyone would want to slaughter them. So many are dying for no reason.”
Dr. Ruddle’s passion for rhinos and wildlife began more than 10 years ago when she volunteered at a rhino orphanage in Africa, where she helped bottle feed and care for these vulnerable animals. Five years ago, she volunteered to help animals as part of a paid volunteerism trip where she met Dr. Leeming as he was treating a wild dog with wounds. They began chatting and he told her about the work of African Wildlife Vets.
“He reminded me that back in the U.S. I was surrounded by whatever resources I needed to treat animals, while in South Africa, they struggle to find the materials and financial backing to support their desperate drive to save the precious wildlife,” recalled Dr. Ruddle. “The organization’s Founder Kate Church grew up surrounded by these beautiful creatures and had a dream to do what she could to save them. She made that dream come true and their mission inspired me.”
Over the following few years, Dr. Ruddle sent the group supplies and supported them from afar. Then recently an opportunity became available for her to join them on the ground with a rhino dehorning project.
“It was a unique opportunity, as the logistics are challenging and these animals are two to three tons each,” said Dr. Ruddle.
The team at African Wildlife Vets work with a wide variety of animals, including elephants, cheetahs, lions, and wild dogs, many of which are victims of snares. Their small staff and limited resources, however, never dash their drive to do what they can to stem the diminishing population of wild animals.
Until she returns to South Africa, Dr. Ruddle stays busy at home in Florida. She
supports the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) in their efforts to protect manatee,
whether it’s starvation from polluted waterways or boating accidents. She also works
with the fSTOP Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting the Florida Panther through
photography. The conservation of the Florida Panther has taken tremendous effort by many people. “We have seen their numbers rise from the depths of despair to where it is today at around 200,” she explained.
“It is a true conservation success story, but the panther still needs our attention and work,” added Dr. Ruddle, who works as a skilled field technician helping to deploy and maintain the network of cameras that fSTOP has deployed throughout the state. “This work is critically important in helping to monitor the panthers, the wildlife crossings they use, and the overall Florida Wildlife Corridor.”
All of these efforts add up, as part of the overall campaign to protect our native animals. This global mission is the reason she is determined to pay it forward. That goal, she says, is rooted in her career success. “My career has given me so much,” she said. “It’s my turn to give back.”
A native of Northeast Ohio, Dr. Ruddle earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from The Ohio State University and completed internships at Oradell Animal Hospital in New Jersey and Mission MedVet in Kansas, where she completed her three-year surgical residency training. Dr. Ruddle moved to Florida in 2005 to begin her surgical career.
