Animal rights organization PETA has asked Crystal Palace to stop using their live bald eagle mascot, Phoenix. The group wrote to club CEO Sharon Lacey, stating that football grounds are inappropriate settings for wild creatures.
A PETA representative stated that stadium conditions like loud sounds and big crowds cause stress. "Bald eagles are respected as symbols of freedom, yet Phoenix is being used as little more than a prop to entertain football fans," they said. They noted the club already has a person in a costume to rally fans.
The letter mentioned past events at other teams where eagles have hit obstacles or come down near fans. It also recalled a 2015 case where a supporter from Charlton was found guilty of trying to hit Crystal Palace's former eagle, Kayla, in a cup match.
Crystal Palace have featured a live eagle on match days for a long time. The team took the Eagles nickname in 1973. Kayla was the mascot from 2010 until she died in 2020.
Phoenix, a bald eagle housed at a wildlife foundation in Kent, first appeared before a game against West Ham. She does not attend all matches, and reported plans for a first flight over the field this season were called off. The club has not commented on PETA's request, which arrives during a difficult period on the pitch where the team has lost its last two matches, including a 5-0 defeat to Brighton on Sunday 18 October. Their recent form shows just one win and one draw from the last five games.
The request was made as Palace get ready to play Newcastle United, who are currently 11th in the table. Portuguese club Benfica also uses a bald eagle, called Águia Vitória, at their games, a practice begun in 2003. Palace's season so far has seen them score 9 goals but concede 17, leaving them with a goal difference of minus eight and 14 points behind the league leaders.
The report in full is at The Guardian Football
