Animal rights group PETA has urged Crystal Palace to retire the club’s bald eagle mascot, Phoenix, with immediate effect.
In a letter to Palace CEO Sharon Lacey, PETA has demanded the club commit to ‘never using a live animal mascot again’.
Palace’s previous eagle mascot, Kayla, regularly appeared before matches at Selhurst Park and flew the length of the pitch.
But PETA says that ‘reclusive eagles deserve better than a stressful, booming stadium environment’ where ‘bright lights, loud noises, and boisterous crowds can cause birds to become frightened, disoriented and panicked’.
The letter cited other incidents involving live birds at football including ‘an owl who died after being hit by a ball, eagles who crashed into walls or glass windows, and a falcon who landed on a fan’s head, sinking his talons into the man’s scalp’.
‘In another case,’ Peta continued, ‘a rowdy football supporter punched a rival team’s eagle mascot’.
Crystal Palace’s eagle mascot Phoenix is at the centre of a complaint by PETA against the club
That incident is believed to relate to a fan attacking Kayla at a League Cup match against south London rivals Charlton, which was marred by crowd trouble, in September 2015.
‘Bald eagles are revered as symbols of freedom, yet Phoenix is being used as little more than a prop to entertain football fans,’ said PETA’s Dr Carys Bennett.
‘Crystal Palace already has a human mascot to energise supporters, so there’s no reason to drag a wild animal into a noisy, crowded stadium.
‘PETA is urging the club to let Phoenix spread his wings and retire him from matchday duties for good.’
Palace, whose nickname has been the Eagles since 1973, have been contacted for comment.
Phoenix has been involved with the club since 2024, but is cared for primarily by the Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation.
In the bird’s biography on the foundation’s website, Phoenix is described as having been destined for a role at the club since hatching, with the animal going on to make its debut at Selhurst Park at four months old. Palace is named as having funded Phoenix’s training and ongoing care.
The south London side are not alone in European football in counting a live bird among their ranks, with Serie A side Lazio the home of a golden eagle called Olimpia.
Olimpia is the name given to all of the birds who have served as the club’s living mascot, with the latest holding the role of flying over the Stadio Olimpico since late 2025.
