A hawk is reportedly the real star of Wimbledon, as it protects the world's most prestigious tennis tournament from pigeons every year.
Rufus, a woodland hawk, patrols the skies above Wimbledon from 5am to 9am everyday to scare off pigeons, which love to feast on the courts' grass seeds.
According to News.com.au, Rufus' handler Imogen Davis said that they use the hawk as a nonlethal deterrent.
Davis told a British newspaper that Rufus flies when he is not hungry enough to eat the pigeons, but not full enough to ignore them either.
Davis, who has formed a strong bond with the hawk, said that two years ago Rufus was stolen, which was the biggest disaster she could ever predict.
The handler said that the press attention must have frightened the thief, because Rufus was returned on Sunday, but it was the worst weekend imaginable and she dose not let her out of my sight now.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app