Animal rights group urges Crystal Palace to retire eagle mascot

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 08:39 · Archive

Peta has called on Crystal Palace to retire Phoenix, their live bald eagle mascot, saying stadiums are dangerous for the bird.

Animal rights group Peta has called on Crystal Palace to retire Phoenix, their live bald eagle mascot, and never use live animal mascots again. In a letter to chief executive Sharon Lacey, Peta argued that bright lights, loud noises and boisterous crowds at stadiums leave birds "frightened, disoriented and panicked" and pose risks to both the animals and spectators.

Crystal Palace adopted the Eagles nickname in 1973. They introduced their first live eagle mascot, Kayla, in 2010. Kayla performed at pre-match displays for a decade, meeting fans in the fanzone and flying across the pitch, until her death in 2020. Phoenix was introduced in August 2024 at four months old ahead of the match against West Ham, meeting supporters in the fanzone and being introduced at half-time with her handler. The eagle is based at Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation in Kent.

Peta pointed to previous incidents involving live birds at football stadiums to support its case. These include an owl dying after being hit by a ball, eagles crashing into walls or windows, and a falcon landing on a fan's head and embedding its talons in his scalp. A Charlton Athletic fan was found guilty in 2017 of attempting to punch Kayla at a League Cup fixture in 2015.

Dr Carys Bennett, Peta's senior corporate projects manager, said: "Bald eagles are revered as symbols of freedom, yet Phoenix is being used as little more than a prop to entertain football fans. Crystal Palace already has a human mascot to energise supporters, so there's no reason to drag a wild animal into a noisy, crowded stadium."

Phoenix has not appeared at Selhurst Park since her debut. It is understood plans for her to make a maiden flight across the pitch before kick-off were abandoned at a match this season.

How it is being reported

• Crystal Palace urged to retire bald eagle mascotAnimal rights group Peta is urging Crystal Palace to retire their bald eagle mascot, saying a "bright stadium filled with boisterous fans is no place for animals".BBC News · 21 Oct, 08:24
• Peta urges Crystal Palace to retire bald eagle mascotPalace have been nicknamed the Eagles since 1973Independent Sport · 20 Oct, 17:32
• Crystal Palace told to retire iconic mascot as statement revealedConference League winners have been delivered a stern letterEvening Standard · 20 Oct, 16:59
• Animal rights group urges Crystal Palace to retire bald eagle mascotPeta calls on club to never again use a live animal mascot ‘There’s no reason to drag a wild animal into a stadium’ A leading animal rights group has urged Crystal Palace to retire their American bald eagle mascot because, it says, the matchday experience can leave the bird “frightened, disoriented and panicked” and put spectators at risk. In a letter to Palace’s chief executive, Sharon Lacey, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) called on the club to end Phoenix’s appearances at Selhurst Park and commit never to use a live animal mascot again. Continue reading...The Guardian · 20 Oct, 13:00

In this story: Crystal Palace · Peta · Sharon Lacey · Phoenix · Selhurst Park · Kayla · Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation

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