Animal Rights Group Urges Crystal Palace to Retire Live Bald Eagle Mascot
PETA cites animal welfare concerns and calls for the Premier League club to use human mascots instead.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has called on Premier League club Crystal Palace to retire their live bald eagle mascot, Phoenix, citing concerns for the animal's welfare in a stadium environment. The organization sent a letter to Crystal Palace CEO Sharon Lacey urging the club to cease using live animals as mascots.
Peta argues that a stadium environment, with its loud noises and crowds, can be frightening and disorienting for birds. They also state that using animals for entertainment prevents them from engaging in natural behaviors and can lead to stress and frustration. The group has documented instances where live mascots, including birds, have been injured or killed in incidents involving stadium elements or even spectators.
Crystal Palace, known as the Eagles since 1973, introduced a live eagle mascot in 2010. Kayla served as the mascot for a decade until her death in 2020. Phoenix took over the role in August 2024. The club's use of an eagle mascot dates back to the introduction of Kayla.
"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."
A previous incident involving the club's former mascot, Kayla, saw a Charlton Athletic fan found guilty in 2017 of attempting to punch the eagle during a match in 2015.