Wimbledon's pigeon problem solved with Rufus the Hawk

The All England Club, which hosts Wimbledon, has a long-standing problem with pigeons. For years, these birds would roost on the famous courts and peck at the grass, causing disruptions during matches. One notable incident occurred in 1999, when a pigeon interrupted Tim Henman's serve during a men's singles semi-finals match against Pete Sampras. The comical scene that ensued, with a ball boy chasing the pigeon, highlighted the need for a solution. To address this issue, the All England Club employed Rufus, a hawk trained to scare away pigeons. With his keen eyesight and intimidating presence, Rufus patrols the courts, including Centre Court, Court One, and Henman Hill, ensuring that the birds do not interfere with play. After over a quarter of a century of service, Rufus has become an integral part of Wimbledon's security team and has even earned his own security pass, with the job title of bird scarer.