PETA urges Crystal Palace to retire live eagle mascot Phoenix
The animal rights group has asked Palace to end Phoenix’s appearances at Selhurst Park and stop using live animal mascots. The club had not responded to the demand by the time of The Guardian’s report.
PETA has urged Crystal Palace to retire its live bald eagle mascot Phoenix from appearances at Selhurst Park and commit to never using a live animal mascot again. The demand, reported on 20 October, raises questions about the bird’s welfare during matchday events. Palace had not responded to the group’s letter by the time of The Guardian’s report.
The Guardian reported that PETA made the request in a letter to Palace chief executive Sharon Lacey. The group argued that bright lights, loud noises and crowds can leave birds frightened or disoriented and can pose risks to animals and spectators. Those are PETA’s concerns; the reports do not establish that Phoenix has been harmed at a Palace match.
What PETA wants Palace to change
Dr Carys Bennett, PETA’s senior corporate projects manager, said Palace already has a human mascot to energise supporters. The group wants Phoenix removed from matchday duties permanently, alongside a commitment that the club will not use another live animal mascot. The Guardian said Palace had also been contacted for comment after failing to respond to the letter and a follow-up request the previous week.
PETA’s letter cited incidents involving birds at other football grounds, including collisions with walls or glass, and a falcon that injured a spectator. It also referred to an incident involving Palace’s previous eagle, Kayla: The Guardian reported that a Charlton supporter was found guilty of trying to punch the bird during a League Cup tie in 2015. PETA presented the examples as reasons to end live-bird displays.
Phoenix’s role at Selhurst Park
Phoenix made a debut before Palace’s match against West Ham in August 2024, aged four months, according to The Guardian. Based at Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation in Kent, the bird does not attend every game. The Guardian reported that a planned first flight across the pitch before kick-off was abandoned at a match this season; it did not give a date for that match.
Palace introduced a live eagle display with Kayla in 2010. Kayla died in 2020. The display draws on the club’s Eagles nickname, adopted in 1973 under then manager Malcolm Allison. The Guardian said it had asked Eagle Heights about Phoenix’s welfare but received no reply.
Read in depth: Sports
Rays reach World Series with trade-built roster and one of MLB’s lowest payrolls
Tampa Bay’s third American League pennant puts its roster strategy in focus: 16 players arrived through trades, according to the Associated Press.
Adam Silver says LeBron James’s Fanatics helicopter deal is permissible if no team is involved
The NBA commissioner said players may make their own sponsor deals, while teams cannot help arrange them. Questions about the 76ers’ role remain unresolved.
Sources and context
- PETA urges Crystal Palace to 'let Phoenix spread his wings' and permanently retire live bald eagle mascot from matchday dutiesGOAL.com (carried by Yahoo Sports)
- Animal rights group urges Crystal Palace to retire bald eagle mascotThe Guardian
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.