Hunting with eagles gains popularity in Kazakhstan

People have hunted with eagles in Kazakhstan for many centuries, but now this ancient practice has been revived as a competitive sport.

Under the Soviet Union this tradition was discouraged as it was considered to belong to the elites and the number of falconers in Kazakhstan dwindled to just 10.

But these days the annual contest organized in Almaty by the Ministry of Sports and Tourism is attended by nearly 100 falconers.