24/06/2010 12:05 PM
High security fencing is being used at Wimbledon to protect the grounds ahead of the international tennis tournament.
According to the venue's head groundsman, a number of pests have proved problematic in the past - including foxes - so security fencing is required almost all year round.
Speaking to Reuters, Eddie Seaward, who has been chief groundsman since 1991, said: "We put an electric fence round here and the showcourts most of the year."
"It's the vixens that are the problem, if they urinate on the court it just kills the grass off," he added.
As well as high security fencing, the Wimbledon staff also use a hawk to scare off pigeons. Flying three times a week, the falconer and his hawk operate during the tournament to ensure pigeons do not return with the influx of tennis fans.
Security fencing is already being used at various official World Cup supporters' venues around the UK, and the 2012 Olympics are expected to use miles of temporary security fencing solutions.
According to the venue's head groundsman, a number of pests have proved problematic in the past - including foxes - so security fencing is required almost all year round.
Speaking to Reuters, Eddie Seaward, who has been chief groundsman since 1991, said: "We put an electric fence round here and the showcourts most of the year."
"It's the vixens that are the problem, if they urinate on the court it just kills the grass off," he added.
As well as high security fencing, the Wimbledon staff also use a hawk to scare off pigeons. Flying three times a week, the falconer and his hawk operate during the tournament to ensure pigeons do not return with the influx of tennis fans.
Security fencing is already being used at various official World Cup supporters' venues around the UK, and the 2012 Olympics are expected to use miles of temporary security fencing solutions.
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