Peta Calls for Crystal Palace to Retire Live Bald Eagle Mascot

Crystal Palace, once known as the Glaziers, embraced their eagle identity in the mid-1970s. Now, an animal rights organization is challenging the club's decision to feature a live bald eagle mascot, claiming that a vibrant stadium atmosphere is not suitable for animals. In a direct appeal to CEO Sharon Lacey, Peta has requested the Premier League side to cease using Phoenix, the eagle, during pre-match festivities at Selhurst Park. They’re also advocating for the complete abandonment of live animal mascots in the future. The London club has been known as the Eagles since 1973, and they introduced their first live eagle mascot in 2010. The original mascot, Kayla, served for a decade before passing away in 2020. Phoenix made her entrance onto the scene during a match against West Ham in August 2024. Peta argues that stadiums can be overwhelming for birds, leading to fear and confusion, which could pose risks for both the eagle and the fans. They assert that using animals for entertainment hinders their natural behaviors, causing unnecessary stress and frustration. The organization cites troubling incidents involving live mascots, detailing cases of injuries and fatalities from collisions and even a shocking event where a falcon got stuck in a spectator's hair after landing on him. In a previous incident in 2017, a Charlton Athletic supporter faced legal consequences for trying to punch Kayla during a match, highlighting the potential dangers of having live mascots in such an intense environment. Dr. Carys Bennett, Peta's senior corporate projects manager, pointed out that many sports teams choose human mascots instead. She emphasized that bald eagles, renowned symbols of freedom, deserve better than to be treated as mere entertainment for fans.