Crystal Palace urged to retire bald eagle mascot

Animal rights group Peta is urging Crystal Palace to retire their bald eagle mascot, saying a "bright stadium filled with boisterous fans is no place for animals". 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. Peta says birds can become "frightened, disoriented and panicked" in stadium environments, putting themselves and fans at risk. Using them for displays and entertainment also denies the animals, who "would naturally avoid humans", the opportunity to engage with their natural instincts, leading to "frustration and stress", the group said. The organisation has "detailed records" of incidents involving live mascots, including birds, being