Animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has called on Crystal Palace to permanently retire Phoenix, the club’s live bald eagle mascot, over concerns about animal welfare and spectator safety.
In a letter to chief executive Sharon Lacey, Peta urged the Premier League side to stop featuring the bird in matchday activities at Selhurst Park and commit to never using live animal mascots again.
The organisation argues that the noise, bright lights and large crowds associated with football matches can leave birds frightened and disoriented, potentially creating risks for both the animals and spectators.
Peta Raises Concerns Over Matchday Displays
Peta says using eagles for entertainment can prevent them from expressing their natural behaviours, potentially causing frustration and stress.
The group also cited previous incidents involving live animal mascots, including birds reportedly colliding with stadium walls and windows or being struck by match balls. It further referred to an incident in which a falcon landed on a spectator’s head and embedded its talons in his scalp.
Dr Carys Bennett, Peta’s senior corporate projects manager, said Crystal Palace already had a human mascot capable of entertaining supporters without involving a live bird.
“Bald eagles are widely recognised as symbols of freedom,” Bennett said, arguing that Phoenix should not be used as an entertainment prop.
Peta believes the club can continue its matchday traditions through Pete the Eagle, its costumed mascot, without bringing a live animal into the stadium environment.
Phoenix Followed Kayla as the Club’s Eagle Mascot
Crystal Palace have been known as the Eagles since 1973. The club introduced its first live eagle mascot, Kayla, in 2010, and she featured in matchday displays for a decade before dying in 2020.
Phoenix was introduced as Kayla’s successor in August 2024, appearing before supporters around the club’s home fixture against West Ham United.
However, reports indicate that Phoenix has not appeared at Selhurst Park again since that introduction, and plans for the eagle to make a flight across the pitch were reportedly abandoned.
The use of live birds in football has attracted scrutiny over the years, with Peta pointing to a 2015 incident involving Kayla. In that case, a Charlton Athletic supporter was later found guilty after attempting to punch the eagle during a League Cup fixture.
Crystal Palace Yet to Respond to the Request
Peta wants Crystal Palace to end its use of live animal mascots permanently, rather than simply suspend Phoenix’s appearances.
The club’s response to the request was not available in the reports reviewed. The Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation, which cares for Phoenix, was also approached for comment but had not responded at the time of reporting.
For now, Peta’s letter represents a call for change rather than a confirmed decision by Crystal Palace to retire its eagle mascot.
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