Wimbledon succession crisis looms after Rufus the hawk fails to breed.
For 17 years, the grounds of Wimbledon have been kept pigeon-free by Rufus the hawk.
The raptor is so effective at patrolling SW19’s skies, that bosses at the championships want his descendants to eventually replace him.
But a so-called “succession plan” is in doubt after its handler revealed Rufus had no offspring and had recently failed to breed.
Donna Davis, who has overseen Rufus’s near two-decade reign over Centre Court, said the hawk had not taken a liking to Pamela, its mate-to-be.
The 58-year-old falconer said: “They didn’t hit it off. Pamela was quite aggressive. It wasn’t love at first sight. But maybe we can try breeding with him again in the future.” AOL.