Training Golden Eagle to Hunt

• Prize
• Photographer
  Sarah Jenkins, Australia
• Studio
  Sarah Jenkins Photography
• Website
  https://www.sarahajenkins.com
• Instagram
  https://www.instagram.com/sarahjenkinsphotographer/

In the desolate mountainous terrain of western Mongolia live 60
or so remaining traditional eagle hunters. These tough, proud
Kazakh nomads use golden eagles to hunt on horseback. This
ancient tradition of training golden eagles to hunt for foxes and
sometimes wolves is still part of daily life for these eagle hunter
families who use the prey for both food and warm clothing. The
hunter takes the young female wild eaglet from its nest and
trains it over the next 1-2 years; whereby the eagle becomes
part of the family. However, the bird retains its wild bird of prey
killer instinct. The eagle, when not hunting or being trained is
tethered outside the ger tent. A special bond develops between
hunter and eagle - a trusting relationship between man and this
enormous bird of prey. After about 8-9 years the hunter
releases the eagle back into the wild.

Sarah's wanderlust for travel has taken her to all corners of the globe; to 148 countries and all seven continents. Her interest in disappearing cultures takes her to some of the more remote parts of the world. Sarah's images have been awarded international photography awards.

Awards MIFA - Gold Award professional 2021
Tokyo TIFA - Silver Award professional 2020,
Tokyo TIFA 2018 - Gold and 1st Place Winner (professional People)
Paris PX3 - Bronze Award professional 2019, 2018
MIFA - Bronze Award professional 2015, 2017, 2019
TIFA - Bronze Award professional 2017, Honorable Mention: 2024, 2023
IPA - Jury Top 5 Selection 2025, Honorable Mention: 2025, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Eyes on Asia Travel Photography Awards 2013 - Bronze Award