People are just realising Wimbledon tennis balls become homes for MICE thanks to genius initiative
Around 55,000 balls are expected to be used at this year's championship.
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And although some will continue to be used for their intended purpose, many more will be upcycled and used as homes for mice.
In partnership with the Wildlife Trust in Avon, Glamorgan and Northumberland, balls have been donated to protect harvest mice.
The Wimbledon balls are modified by cutting small openings which allow the thumb-sized mice to burrow into.
They are then placed in tall grass, which is where the mice are often found, or on mounted on poles to help them escape predators.
The balls also protect the mice from extreme weather conditions.
The initiative began in 2000 as harvest mice became endangered following the loss of their habitat as a result of farming and flooding.
Fans love the scheme with one saying: "Wonderful idea❣️"
Another added: "Love this."
A third wrote: "This is very adorable 😍"
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