Wimbledon’s iconic tennis balls are finding a second life, providing safe shelters for harvest mice in England.
Every year, over 55,000 tennis balls are used during the tournament. Instead of discarding them, Wimbledon has partnered with the Wildlife Trusts to repurpose them as weatherproof nests for these vulnerable animals.
Harvest mice are tiny climbers, measuring 5-7 cm long and weighing as little as 4 grams. They naturally build round nests from woven grass, usually hidden in tall vegetation.
However, habitat loss due to agriculture and urban expansion has made it harder for them to find safe nesting sites.
To make them makeshift homes, conservationists modify used tennis balls by cutting small openings and placing them on poles or in tall grass. This elevation helps protect the mice from predators like foxes and weasels and shield them from harsh weather conditions.
The inside of the tennis balls mimics the warm, enclosed spaces that harvest mice prefer, offering an ideal spot for breeding and shelter.
This initiative is part of Wimbledon’s broader commitment to sustainability. The tournament has also introduced recyclable water bottles, reduced plastic waste, and adopted eco-friendly stadium practices.
The 2025 Wimbledon Championships will take place in London from June 30 to July 13.
While fans watch the world’s best tennis players compete, some of last year’s balls will provide shelter for Britain’s smallest mammals—a simple but effective way to support biodiversity.
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