Case of the Missing Wimbledon Hawk Solved
Monday, July 2, 2012 at 4:43PM 
How do they keep pigeons away from the grounds at Wimbledon?
A trained hawk named Rufus.
But Rufus went AWOL last week. He and he cage were stolen out of a car.
Now, some good news.
Police have confirmed that Rufus was handed into the RSPCA animal hospital in Putney, south west London and was reunited with his owners on Sunday.
"We have Rufus back, safe and well. We are ecstatic and so, so overwhelmed with all the lovely messages and help we have received," Imogen Davis told said.
Rufus will reportedly be given a few days' rest before resuming his duties at Wimbledon later this week.
Harrier hawks first came to the All England Club in 1999 and are trained to circle the courts to scare pigeons away.
Birds such as Rufus are flown before and after each day's play at Wimbledon, to avoid distracting players during the day's program.
First a roof and now a hawk. What innovation at Wimbledon. Is the U.S. Open taking notes?
