PETA Tells Crystal Palace to Stop Using Live Eagles at Matches
Animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has urged English Premier League club Crystal Palace to stop using its live bald eagle mascot, Phoenix, at matches, arguing that football stadiums are unsuitable environments for animals. In a letter to the club’s chief executive, Sharon Lacey, on Wednesday, the group called for Phoenix to be retired immediately and urged the club not to use live animal mascots in the future. Crystal Palace, nicknamed the Eagles since 1973, began featuring a live eagle on match days in 2010. Kayla served as the club’s mascot for a decade before dying in 2020, while Phoenix made her debut against West Ham in August 2024.
PETA argued that stadium lights, loud noises and large, energetic crowds can frighten and disorient birds, potentially putting the animals and spectators at risk. The organisation also cited incidents involving live mascots being injured or killed in collisions with walls, windows and footballs, as well as a case in which a falcon injured a fan’s scalp with its talons. In 2017, a Charlton Athletic supporter was convicted of attempting to punch Kayla during a League Cup match. PETA’s senior corporate projects manager, Dr Carys Bennett, said the club could rely on human mascots, including Pete the Eagle, to entertain supporters, adding that bald eagles, widely recognised as symbols of freedom, should not be used as entertainment props.
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