Soccer-PETA urges Crystal Palace to retire bald eagle mascot Phoenix

Animal rights group PETA has urged Crystal ​Palace to retire its American bald ​eagle mascot, Phoenix, saying football ‌stadiums are ​unsuitable environments that can distress birds and potentially put them and spectators at risk. Palace, known as the Eagles since ‌1973, introduced a live eagle as a matchday mascot in 2010. Phoenix made her official debut in August 2024 at four months old, succeeding long-serving mascot Kayla, who died in ‌2020.

In a letter to Palace CEO Sharon Lacey, People for the Ethical Treatment ‌of Animals cited incidents involving birds at sporting events, including one in which a Charlton Athletic fan was found guilty of attempting to punch Kayla at a 2015 League Cup match. "A bright stadium filled ⁠with boisterous ​fans is no ⁠place for animals. Under such conditions, birds easily become frightened, disoriented, and panicked - placing themselves and others ⁠at risk...," PETA wrote.

"When eagles are used for displays and entertainment, they are denied the opportunity ​to engage in their natural behaviour, resulting in frustration and stress. Wildlife doesn't ⁠belong in a football stadium... "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.

"PETA urges Crystal Palace FC to protect animals by retiring Phoenix and committing never to use a live ⁠animal mascot again." Palace has not responded to a Reuters request for comment.

PETA said no other ⁠UK football club ⁠still uses a live animal mascot. Some other European clubs have used live eagle mascots, including Portuguese side Benfica and Italian club Lazio.