Peta asks Crystal Palace to retire live eagle mascot Phoenix

Peta has asked Crystal Palace to retire Phoenix, the club's live bald eagle mascot, and stop using live animals at matches. The Guardian reported on October 20 that the animal rights organisation sent its request to chief executive Sharon Lacey, raising concerns about animal welfare and spectator safety at Selhurst Park.

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In the letter seen by the newspaper, Peta argued that stadium lights, noise and crowds can distress birds. Its senior corporate projects manager, Carys Bennett, pointed to Palace's existing human mascot as an alternative. These are the organisation's concerns, rather than a reported finding that Phoenix has suffered an injury.

Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation's account of Phoenix's introduction places the debut at Palace's home match against West Ham United in August 2024. The bird was four months old and appeared in the fanzone before being presented to the stadium crowd at half-time. The introduction formed part of the celebrations marking a century of football at Selhurst Park.

The foundation says Palace supported Phoenix's upbringing, preparation and continuing care through their partnership with the wildlife organisation in Kent. In its account, director Samantha Leonard described efforts to sustain that relationship after the death of the previous mascot, Kayla, in 2020. The foundation also said preparations for Phoenix to become the club's live mascot had begun when the bird hatched.

Phoenix's name was presented by the foundation as a link to Palace's history and the adoption of the Eagles identity in 1973. Its introduction described an ambition for the young bird eventually to fly around Selhurst Park, continuing the tradition associated with Kayla. That account discussed developing Phoenix's confidence and skills, rather than announcing a date for those flights.

The Guardian reported that Phoenix had not returned to Selhurst Park since the debut. It said Palace had not answered Peta's letter or a follow-up request, while Eagle Heights had not replied to the newspaper's welfare questions. No decision to retire Phoenix was reported.