Premier League club urged to retire 'frightened' mascot by PETA
Crystal Palace fans celebrate winning the Conference League | PA. The animal welfare organisation wrote directly to the club's chief executive, Sharon Lacey, calling on the south London side to permanently end the practice of deploying live animal mascots on matchdays.
PETA argued a "bright stadium filled with boisterous fans is no place for animals," urging the Premier League side to cease all such displays without delay. The group also insisted the club should commit to never reintroducing live animal mascots in future.
Crystal Palace have been nicknamed the Eagles since 1973, but it was not until 2010 that the club first brought a live eagle to Selhurst Park on matchdays. Kayla served as the team's airborne mascot for a full decade before her death in 2020.
Phoenix was subsequently chosen as Kayla's successor, taking flight for the first time in a competitive setting when Palace hosted West Ham in August 2024. According to PETA, birds subjected to stadium environments risk becoming "frightened, disoriented and panicked," endangering both themselves and spectators.
The organisation said forcing eagles into such settings strips them of the chance to follow their natural instincts, as these are creatures that "would naturally avoid humans," resulting in "frustration and stress". PETA cited its own "detailed records" of live mascots suffering injuries or death after colliding with walls, windows and match balls, alongside an incident in which a falcon sank its talons into a spectator's scalp.
In 2017, a Charlton Athletic supporter was convicted of attempting to punch Kayla during a League Cup match two years prior. Dr Carys Bennett, PETA's senior corporate projects manager, pointed out numerous professional sports clubs rely exclusively on costumed performers to entertain supporters.
She said: "Many professional sports teams use only willing humans as mascots and the club already has Pete the Eagle to excite the crowd. Bald eagles are widely recognised as symbols of freedom.
They deserve better than to be used as an entertainment prop to amuse the Eagles' fans. The Eagles are back in action on Thursday night against Turkish outfit Besiktas as they look to bounce back from their heavy 5-0 loss to Brighton.
Pressure has stated to mount for Palace boss Pierre Sage, coming under immense scrutiny after only winning one league game so far this season. Palace sit 14th in the Premier League and boast the worst defensive record, having conceded 17 goals in seven games."