PETA urges Crystal Palace to retire eagle mascot Phoenix

Animal rights organization PETA has asked Crystal Palace to retire Phoenix, the bald eagle the club uses as its matchday mascot. According to the group, football stadiums are not a suitable environment for birds. Noise and crowds can frighten birds, which can put both the birds and spectators at risk.

Palace have been known as the Eagles since 1973, and in 2010 they began bringing a live eagle to matches as a mascot. Phoenix officially took up the role in August 2024, at four months old. Kayla, who had served for many years before him, died in 2020.

In a letter to club CEO Sharon Lacey, PETA recalled incidents involving birds at sporting events. One example was the conviction of a Charlton Athletic fan who tried to punch Kayla during a 2015 League Cup match.

The letter argued that in a stadium with lights and loud noise, birds can easily be frightened, lose their bearings and panic. The group claimed that eagles used for displays cannot show their natural behavior, which leads to frustration and stress. Palace were asked to retire Phoenix and not to use a live animal mascot again.

PETA also noted that no other football club in the United Kingdom uses a live animal mascot. In Europe, however, some clubs, such as Portugal's Benfica and Italy's Lazio, have used live eagles.