Peta has written to Crystal Palace asking the club to retire Phoenix, arguing that the eagle does not belong in a loud stadium and could be frightened, disoriented or panicked. The group says a bright, boisterous ground is no place for animals, and it wants the club to stop using live animal mascots altogether.
Palace's mascot tradition
Crystal Palace have been known as the Eagles since 1973, and Kayla the Eagle was first introduced in 2010. Phoenix arrived in August 2024 ahead of Palace's game with West Ham, but the bird has not appeared since at Selhurst Park.
Dr Carys Bennett, PETA senior corporate projects manager, said: "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's season under pressure
The letter lands while Crystal Palace are under on-field pressure too. They have seven points from their opening seven Premier League games and sit 14th, and Sunday's 5-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium has only added to the noise around the club.
Peta's argument is straightforward enough: if Palace already use a human mascot, the club does not need a live bird in the middle of a crowded matchday setting. Palace have not said publicly whether Phoenix will return to Selhurst Park, and the issue remains open ahead of their next home date.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
