Vatican hires a hawk to protect Pope's doves

A hawk has been taken on by the Vatican to protect the Pope's doves after two were killed in front of horrified crowds by a crow and seagull.

The bird of prey named Sylvia, who was specially trained for the task in northern Italy, has been taken on by the Swiss Guards.



It is hoped the harris hawk, with a wingspan of 120cm (47in), will scare off predators looking to make a quick meal of a holy dove.

The doves are traditionally released from the Vatican a few times a year as signs of peace, but when two children let fly the white-feathered birds from the window above St Peter's Square on 26 January this year, they immediately came under attack. The doves did not survive the brutal mid-air collision.