Crystal Palace urged to retire bald eagle mascot
Animal rights group Peta urges Crystal Palace CEO Sharon Lacey to immediately stop using live bald eagle mascot Phoenix at Selhurst Park.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Peta urges Crystal Palace to retire their live bald eagle mascot
- Animal rights group states loud stadiums are no place for animals
- Former mascot Kayla served for 10 years before dying in 2020
- Current eagle Phoenix debuted against West Ham in August 2024
An animal rights organization is pressing Crystal Palace to permanently retire their live bald eagle mascot with immediate effect, arguing that a vibrant stadium packed with boisterous supporters is entirely unsuitable for animals.
In a formal letter addressed to Palace chief executive Sharon Lacey, Peta has called upon the Premier League club to halt the pre-match displays featuring the eagle named Phoenix at Selhurst Park and to refrain from utilizing live animal mascots moving forward.
The use of live animals as stadium mascots has long been a traditional method for clubs to boost atmosphere, but modern animal welfare standards have placed these practices under intense scrutiny. High-decibel crowds and intense stadium environments can trigger severe sensory overload and panic in birds of prey.
The London-based club has been famously nicknamed the Eagles since the mid-1970s, having previously carried the moniker The Glaziers. The tradition of featuring a live eagle on matchdays was introduced back in 2010, with an eagle named Kayla performing the role for a decade until her death in 2020, paving the way for Phoenix to make her debut against West Ham in August 2024.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
According to Peta, birds can easily become frightened, disoriented, and panicked within a crowded stadium setting, placing both the animal and the attending fans at potential risk.
Highlighting past safety concerns, an incident occurred in 2017 when a Charlton Athletic fan was found guilty of attempting to punch Kayla the eagle during a League Cup fixture that took place two years prior.
Source: BBC Sport
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