Crystal Palace urged to retire bald eagle mascot
Animal rights group PETA is urging Crystal Palace football club to retire its live bald eagle mascot, citing animal welfare concerns and stress caused by loud stadium environments. The club has used live eagles for matchday displays since 2010.
Why it matters
Raises ethical questions about the use of live animals in sports entertainment and public spectacles.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Crystal Palace were rebranded as the Eagles in the mid-1970s, having previously been known as the Glaziers
An animal rights group is urging Crystal Palace to retire their live bald eagle mascot with immediate effect, saying a "bright stadium filled with boisterous fans is no place for animals".
In a letter to Palace CEO Sharon Lacey, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) asked the Premier League club to stop using the eagle, named Phoenix, in pre-match displays at Selhurst Park and to never use live animal mascots again.
The London team, known as the Eagles since 1973, introduced a live eagle to matchdays in 2010. Kayla, who died in 2020, performed the role for 10 years and her replacement Phoenix made her debut against West Ham in August 2024.
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