HAWK THEFT CAUSED A RIGHT FLAP

ONE of Wimbledon’s most famous employees is Rufus (above), a Harris Hawk whose job is to keep Centre Court and surrounding skies clear of pigeons and other pests during play.

He also has 10,000 followers on his dedicated Twitter account. When, in 2012, Rufus was stolen from the back of his owner’s car, it caused an outcry around the globe.

The pressure was so intense that his captor panicked and released him into the wild. Rufus was found days later, back dutifully patrolling his most prized territory.