By Carol Biliczky, Akron Beacon Journal
Flash, Kent State University's golden eagle mascot, doesn't fly with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the organization says. PETA issued an action alert that asks the public to urge KSU officials to stop showcasing the live eagle at university events.
"This is totally unnatural for the bird," PETA spokesman Daniel Hauff said Thursday. "Forcing a wild animal into a bright gymnasium filled with people is terrifying for the animal. They shouldn't be shuffled around like sports equipment." He said PETA prefers that schools and colleges use costumed humans as mascots.
But KSU spokesman Scott Rainone said the university has "every intention of continuing" its partnership with the wildlife rehabilitation center Back to the Wild and Flash, as the eagle is known while at Kent State. He said the university has received some complaints about the use of the golden eagle since PETA first complained to President Lester Lefton in March. He said he did not know how many.
"Please be assured that none of us here at Kent would do anything to harm the golden eagle," KSU Vice President Kathy Stafford wrote on April 11 in response to PETA's complaint.
The university entered into a partnership with the Erie County center last winter to showcase the bird at some events in exchange for an initial payment of $5,000, yearly payments of $1,000, $750 photo sessions and $1,000 for visits. It was the first time the university had used a live eagle since 1995.
Flash debuted at halftime of a Kent State basketball game in January, then met with children off court. "She seems accepting of this," Back to the Wild founder Mona Rutger said of the eagle at the time. Rutger said Flash was so relaxed when she got home from her debut that she ate a hearty meal of rats and day-old chicks.
