The Eagle Hunters of Mongolia

In western Mongolia, an ancient tradition of Hunting Wolves with Eagles is still alive.

We know from history that Genghis Khan had 1,000 hunting birds – eagles, falcons and gyrfalcons – and so did Kubla Khan. There were protected areas in the steppe marked with stones where only the khans were allowed to hunt. Hunting wolves with eagles was the “sport of kings”.

The Kazakhs of Mongolia train their eagles to hunt wolves and here the bird of prey is often considered a family member. The Berkutchi is a falconer who hunts with the Golden Eagle. The training of this bird was seen as difficult and even perilous even by the experienced Synchy. The bird is never a slave of its owner, only a partner in hunting.

PHOTOS BY
Michael Bednar
http://bednarphoto.com

NARRATED BY
John Davidson

TRADITIONAL KAZAKH MUSIC BY
Bekselt Tursynbekov and Zhanqhaly Zhuzbaev

WOLF HUNTING
https://outdoors-international.com/hunting/wolf/

Видео The Eagle Hunters of Mongolia канала Outdoors International