Crystal Palace’s lucky eagle mascot, Kayla, has been grounded by BIRD FLU fears
Fans of the struggling Premier League club have been wondering why the eagle has not been seen at recent games
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CRYSTAL PALACE'S lucky eagle mascot has been grounded by BIRD FLU fears.
Fans of the struggling Premier League club have been wondering why Kayla the Eagle has not been seen at recent home games.
The bird's absence has coincided with a calamitous run of form which has seen them nosedive into the relegation zone.
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Now the reason for her missing match-days has been confirmed, and it's related to avian flu.
While Kayla hasn't been infected, experts say her predatory instincts mean letting her loose around Selhurst Park would pose a risk to her, in case she caught something which had contracted the flu.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) wants all precautions to be taken.
Alan Ames, a director at Eagle Heights bird of prey centre in Kent where Kayla lives, says that despite it being unlikely Kayla would get bird flu, it's a risk they can't take.
He said: "Birds of prey don't tend to get bird flu.
"They found three this year that got it. It's just a precaution. A lot of falconers aren't flying their birds.
"If we had one bird with bird flu, the consequences would be disastrous."
He said that if Kayla contracted the flu, she would have to be culled.
Ames said: "You get lots of gulls around Selhurst Park.
"Bird flu tends to effect poultry, things like ducks and chickens, especially if they're in high concentrations.
"It happens every year. It comes over with the migrating birds".
Ames explained that Kayla generally doesn't hunt other animals, but if she saw a sick bird she might try to.
He added: "She doesn't tend to catch anything anyway, but they're not stupid these birds.
"If they see something that they consider to be vulnerable then they'll take it.
"Let's say there's a duck that's not very well with bird flu wondering around the ground at Selhurst Park, if she saw it she would go after it because she would know she could catch it.
"If it was a healthy duck, she wouldn't even look at it, she's got more chance of winning the Lottery than catching it."
But Palace fans might not have to wait too long to see Kayla again.
Ames hopes she may return for the home game against Middlesbrough on February 25.
He added: "Rest assured she is alive and will be back as soon as she's able to.
