Crystal Palace have been urged by a leading animal rights organisation to retire their American bald eagle mascot, Phoenix, because, it says, a “bright stadium filled with boisterous fans is no place for animals” and can force the bird to become “frightened, disoriented, and panicked” while putting spectators at risk.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have sent a letter to the club’s chief executive, Sharon Lacey, calling on the south Londoners to retire Phoenix and commit to never using a live animal mascot again.
Palace, known as the Eagles since 1973, first introduced a pre-match display from Kayla the Eagle in 2010.
The display involved Kayla meeting fans outside the fanzone before flying from crossbar to crossbar and was a fixture of the pre-match experience at Selhurst Park for a decade until Kayla’s death in 2020.
Kayla’s replacement, Phoenix, was introduced to supporters in August 2024 ahead of Palace’s game with West Ham but has not appeared since at Selhurst Park and has yet to make her maiden flight across the pitch before kick-off.
Mascot: Phoneix
Getty
In the letter, which has been seen by Standard Sport, Peta detailed a number of incidents involving live animal mascots, including “an owl who died after being hit by a ball, eagles who crashed into walls or glass windows, and a falcon who landed on a fan’s head, sinking his talons into the man’s scalp.”
A Charlton Athletic fan was also arrested and found guilty of attempted damage in 2015 for attempting to punch Kayla ahead of a League Cup game between Palace and Charlton at Selhurst Park.
PETA went on to state that when used for live displays, eagles are “denied the opportunity to engage in their natural behaviour, resulting in frustration and stress” and suggested that they deserve better than to be used as “props” for the entertainment of supporters.
PETA senior corporate projects manager Dr Carys Bennett 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. PETA is urging the club to let Phoenix spread his wings and retire him from matchday duties for good."
Standard Sport have contacted Palace for comment. They did not respond to PETA’s letter or to a follow-up request last week.