3. Mongolia – The eagle hunters of the West
In the West of Mongolia, we are working with the Kazakh eagle hunters. The community is made up of kind, hardy and family-focused people and to witness the extraordinary relationship between the falconers, their huge golden eagles and their horses is to see something as astonishing and mesmerising as it is unique. But the local grasslands (which are essentially akin to 'upside-down rainforests') are desertifying, the winters are shortening, water is becoming more scarce and animal behaviours are changing. The way of life of the eagle hunters is increasingly under pressure. Working with the community and our project partners, the Kazakh Falconry Association, the Wildlife Science and Conservation Centre of Mongolia and Nomadic Expeditions, we have created the first ever Eagle Hunter Cultural Centre to support the falconer community, their traditions and culture. The Centre's official opening was celebrated in October 2024.