Animal rights organisation Peta has called on Crystal Palace to immediately retire its live mascot, a bald eagle. Peta sent a letter to chief executive Sharon Lacey requesting that the eagle, named Phoenix, cease to be used in pre-match displays at Selhurst Park.
Peta also asked the London Premier League club to never use live animals as mascots again. The organisation argues that "a brightly lit stadium full of noisy fans is not a place for animals".
Crystal Palace has been nicknamed the Eagles since 1973, and introduced a live eagle to matches in 2010. Phoenix replaced eagle Kayla, who held the role for 10 years and died in 2020. Phoenix made her debut against West Ham in August 2024.
Peta warns that birds in a stadium environment can become "scared, disoriented and panicked", putting both themselves and fans at risk. The organisation states that using animals for shows and entertainment denies animals, who would "naturally avoid humans", the opportunity to follow their natural instincts, leading to "frustration and stress".
Peta claims to hold "detailed records" of incidents in which live mascots, including birds, have been injured or killed in collisions with walls, windows and balls. Among the records is the case of a falcon that stabbed a spectator in the head with its talons after landing on his head. In 2017, a Charlton Athletic fan was found guilty of attempting to hit Kayla, the eagle, at a League Cup match two years earlier.
Dr Carys Bennett, senior manager for corporate projects at Peta, said: "Many professional sports teams use only volunteer humans as mascots, and the club already has Pete the Eagle who can excite the crowd." She added: "Bald eagles are widely recognised as symbols of freedom. They deserve better than being used as an entertainment tool for Eagles fans."
BBC Sport contacted Crystal Palace for a comment.
