People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has urged Crystal Palace to stop using Phoenix as a live mascot and commit to never featuring another animal at Selhurst Park. In a letter to chief executive Sharon Lacey, PETA argued that stadium conditions could leave the bald eagle frightened, disoriented and at risk, while also posing dangers to supporters.
Palace have been known as the Eagles since 1973, when manager Malcolm Allison changed the club’s nickname from the Glaziers. The club introduced live eagle appearances in 2010 with Kayla, who performed pre-match flights before her death in 2020 after a decade in the role.
Phoenix, Kayla’s replacement, made a first appearance before the match against West Ham in August 2024. The eagle met fans in the fanzone before being presented at half-time alongside a handler. Phoenix is based at the Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation in Kent and has not appeared at Selhurst Park again. Plans understood to involve a first flight across the pitch before a match this season were abandoned.
PETA said bright lighting, loud sounds and large, energetic crowds make football stadiums unsuitable for animals. The organisation also highlighted reported cases involving birds colliding with walls or glass and a falcon landing on a spectator. It referred to a 2015 incident involving Kayla, during which a Charlton supporter was found guilty of attempting to punch the eagle during a League Cup match affected by crowd trouble.
PETA senior corporate projects manager Dr Carys Bennett said the club already had a human mascot and questioned the need to bring a wild animal into a noisy stadium. PETA also argued that captive-bred eagles retain natural instincts and may become stressed or frustrated when unable to behave naturally. Crystal Palace did not respond to the letter or a follow-up request, while Eagle Heights also did not reply to questions about Phoenix’s welfare.
