An animal rights group has asked Crystal Palace to stop using its live bald eagle mascot. They believe that stadiums are not suitable for animals.
On Wednesday, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wrote to club CEO Sharon Lacey. They want the Premier League team to retire the eagle named Phoenix immediately and to avoid using live animal mascots in the future.
Crystal Palace, known as the Eagles since 1973, started using a live eagle on match days in 2010. The first eagle, Kayla, served for ten years until her death in 2020. Phoenix made her first appearance against West Ham in August 2024.
PETA explained that bright lights, loud noises, and rowdy crowds can make birds "frightened, disoriented and panicked." This situation puts both the animals and the fans at risk. They also said that using eagles for entertainment stops them from acting on their natural instincts, leading to stress and frustration.
The group mentioned previous incidents with live mascots. There have been cases of birds getting hurt or killed by crashing into walls, windows, or footballs. One notable event involved a falcon that grabbed a fan’s scalp. In 2017, a Charlton Athletic supporter was found guilty of trying to punch Kayla during a League Cup match.
PETA’s senior corporate projects manager, Dr Carys Bennett, said, "Many professional sports teams use only willing humans as mascots, and the club already has Pete the Eagle to excite the crowd."
She added, "Bald eagles are widely recognised as symbols of freedom. They deserve better than to be used as an entertainment prop to amuse the Eagles’ fans."
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