PETA has called on the Premier League club to stop using bald eagle Phoenix and commit to never having a live animal mascot again.

The group wrote to Crystal Palace chief executive Sharon Lacey, arguing the bright lights, noise and crowds associated with football could cause birds to become ‘frightened, disoriented, and panicked’.

But Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation, where Phoenix lives, has defended her appearances and said they are ‘carefully managed’ by experienced keepers.

@eagle.heights Phoenix stole the show once again at @Crystal Palace yesterday. Although it wasn't a victory against @Nottingham Forest the official live mascot didn't fail to deliver ⚽✨💪❤️💙 . . We also had the honour of meeting new owner Woody Johnson who was not only a lovely person, but he also has a keen interest in Birds. It was great to speak to him about his own experiences with Raptors. . We hope the fans enjoyed seeing her as much as she enjoyed showing off! Thanks to all of you that made donations yesterday, these all go towards the care of Phoenix and her buddies at #eagleheightswildlifefoundation . . #cpfc #ptid #eagles #selhurstpark ♬ original sound - Damien Hebbard456

PETA’s letter, dated September 1 and signed by senior corporate projects manager Dr Carys Bennett, said: “A bright stadium filled with boisterous fans is no place for animals.

“Under such conditions, birds easily become frightened, disoriented, and panicked – placing themselves and others at risk.”

The organisation pointed to previous incidents involving birds used as mascots, including an owl being killed after it was hit by a ball, eagles crashing into walls or glass windows and a falcon landing on a supporter’s head and injuring him with its talons.

It argued that eagles naturally fly over large territories, spend much of their time high in trees and would generally avoid humans.

The letter added: “Wildlife doesn’t belong in a football stadium.”

PETA said Crystal Palace already has its human mascot, Pete the Eagle, and pointed to other teams which have stopped using live animals, including Tottenham Hotspur and Barnsley.

The group concluded by calling on the club to “protect animals by retiring Phoenix and committing never to use a live animal mascot again”.

Phoenix succeeded Palace’s previous eagle mascot Kayla, who died in 2020, and made her official debut in August 2024.

However, Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation has rejected concerns about the way Phoenix is used.

It said Phoenix attends the Fan Zone before matches rather than the matches themselves, and supporters are not permitted to handle her.

The organisation said: “Her wellbeing is continually assessed, and we would withdraw her from appearances immediately if we believed they were no longer appropriate for her.”

Eagle Heights also described Phoenix as “far more than a football club mascot”, saying her appearances introduce birds of prey to thousands of football supporters who might otherwise never visit a wildlife centre.

PETA senior corporate projects manager Dr Carys Bennett said: “Bald eagles are revered as symbols of freedom, yet Phoenix is being used as little more than a prop to entertain football fans.

“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.”