Wimbledon's tennis balls reused as homes for 'vulnerable' harvest mice — saving them from extinction

'The harvest mouse is an excellent indicator of the health of our fields and hedgerows.'

PUBLISHED 1 DAY AGO

Harvest mice nestled inside a tennis ball. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Mike Powles)

Wimbledon's latest initiative to provide UK harvest mice with comfortable houses is grabbing the attention of viewers everywhere. The story was shared on Reddit on July 10, regarding 55,000 tennis balls being upcycled into houses for the thumb-sized mice, and it instantly went viral, with the post getting more than 11K upvotes in 24 hours. The impressive project was also covered on Country Living. As reported by the channel, Wimbledon uses approximately 55,000 tennis balls each year, with some being sold on the official website to raise funds for the Wimbledon Foundation, and the rest are used for overall British wildlife, especially in providing homes for the harvest mice.

Harvest mice sitting in tennis ball. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Roger Tidman)

Once the tournament is over, the balls are donated to the Wildlife Trusts, which covers 46 independent charities, all working towards supporting wildlife. The organization is then responsible for modifying these tennis balls into homes for the UK's tiniest rodents. Changes are made by cutting small openings in the balls and attaching them to tall grass — also a common place where these mice are often found residing in an attempt to hide from predators. The balls are fixed to poles that stand 29 to 60 inches high, keeping them away from birds of prey.

Two harvest mice sitting on flower stems. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Natalia Dobrescu)

While these tiny mice are not more than 2 to 3 inches long, their natural habitat is slowly vanishing due to modern agricultural practices. The initiative that started in 2000 has been running for more than 25 years and is thus extremely helpful in providing these rodents with a home. The size and shape of the balls further act as the perfect shelter for nesting females who can comfortably give birth and guard their young ones from predators.

Harvest mice sitting on a plant. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by McLeod Photography London)

According to The Sun, these upcycled balls also offer protection from harsh climate conditions. Other environment-friendly initiatives taken by the organization include giving players reusable water bottles to help reduce plastic waste. A 'living wall' has also been added on Court No.1, which features a wall covered with plants, built in 2019 to attract bees and butterflies. These initiatives are crucial at a time when all species are suffering the results of man-made climate devastation. Being led by Wimbledon in the forefront will inspire others to follow suit, thereby lifting the fight against climate change from frontline activists to corporate boardrooms.

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The news was also covered earlier by BBC Countryfile Magazine in a YouTube video that showcased the tiny rodents residing in the tennis balls. As reported by the BBC, harvest mice only weigh around six grams and often curl up in small spaces, making the tennis balls the ideal home for these endangered species. The initiative by The All England Lawn Tennis Club and The Wildlife Trust in Avon, Glamorgan, and Northumberland will further encourage breeding of this species. Dr Simon Lyster, Director General of the Wildlife Trusts, also shared, "The harvest mouse is an excellent indicator of the health of our fields and hedgerows." Other regions should also turn inwards and note which animal populations they need to save as a priority for our collective green future.