Crystal Palace have been urged to stop using their live bald eagle mascot immediately, with animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) warning that a noisy, brightly lit stadium is unsuitable for animals.
In a letter to Palace chief executive Sharon Lacey, PETA called on the Premier League club to remove Phoenix from pre-match displays at Selhurst Park and pledged that live animals should not be used as mascots in future.
Crystal Palace have been known as the Eagles since 1973 and began featuring a live eagle on matchdays in 2010. Kayla, who carried out the role for 10 years, died in 2020.
Phoenix replaced Kayla and made her first appearance for the club before the match against West Ham in August 2024.
PETA said the conditions inside football stadiums could leave birds “frightened, disoriented and panicked”, potentially creating risks for both the animals and spectators.
The group also argued that using birds for public displays and entertainment prevents them from following their natural instincts. As bald eagles would “naturally avoid humans”, PETA said forcing them into that environment could result in “frustration and stress”.
According to the organisation, it holds “detailed records” of incidents in which live mascots, including birds, have been injured or killed after colliding with walls, windows and match balls.
Its records also include an incident in which a falcon landed on a spectator’s head and embedded its talons in his scalp.
A Charlton Athletic fan was found guilty in 2017 of attempting to punch Kayla during a League Cup fixture two years earlier.
PETA said Crystal Palace already had a human mascot, Pete the Eagle, who could continue to entertain supporters without the use of a live animal.
“Many professional sports teams use only willing humans as mascots, and the club already has Pete the Eagle to excite the crowd,” said Dr Carys Bennett, PETA’s senior corporate projects manager.
“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.”
BBC Sport has contacted Crystal Palace for comment.
