Crystal Palace asked to drop live bald eagle mascot

An animal‑rights organisation has called on Crystal Palace to cease using its live bald eagle mascot immediately, arguing that a noisy stadium is unsuitable for any animal. In a letter addressed to club chief executive Sharon Lacey, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) urged the Premier League side to stop featuring the eagle, called Phoenix, in pre‑match displays at Selhurst Park and to abandon live animal mascots altogether.

The London club, which adopted the Eagles nickname in 1973, first brought a live bird onto matchdays in 2010. The original eagle, Kayla, performed for a decade before dying in 2020. Phoenix made his debut in a game against West Ham in August 2024.

PETA argues that stadium environments can frighten, disorient and panic birds, creating risks for both the animals and spectators. The group says that using eagles for entertainment denies them the chance to act on their natural instincts, leading to frustration and stress. It cites detailed records of incidents in which live mascots have been injured or killed after colliding with walls, windows or match balls, and even mentions a case where a falcon’s talons pierced a fan’s scalp after landing on his head.

In 2017, a Charlton Athletic supporter was convicted of attempting to punch Kayla during a League Cup match two years earlier. “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.”

BBC Sport has reached out to Crystal Palace for comment.