Cranbury, NJ (June 24, 2020) – Nomadic Expeditions, the award-winning eco-tourism company specialized in luxury adventure travel to Mongolia and beyond, was founded with a belief that travel makes the world a better place when it is based upon environmentally-friendly practices, supports the protection of cultural and natural heritage, and directly contributes to the social and economic well-being of local people. Taking the principles of sustainable tourism to the next level, Nomadic Expeditions is proud to fund a new research initiative led by the Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia (WSCC) to support golden eagle conservation and cultural heritage preservation.

“Our organization is honored to partner with Nomadic Expeditions, as together we strive to keep the population of the golden eagle healthy and keep important traditions alive,” says Nyambayar Batbayar, Director of the Mongolia Wildlife Science and Conservation Centre.

The project will include a study of the golden eagle population in western Mongolia, along with a review of the cultural traditions of golden eagle hunting to support animal welfare guidelines and ensure that this spectacular bird of prey, and the festival that celebrates this ancient heritage, will have a long and sustainable future. 

The research will contribute important data to the Global Raptor Impact Network operated by The Peregrine Fund, the world’s foremost global raptor conservation organization, to provide the latest data analytics tools and advice on conservation outcomes. “We are pleased to join with WSCC and Nomadic Expeditions to deliver cutting edge science to protect Mongolia’s golden eagles and cultural heritage,” says Dr. Rick Watson, President and CEO of The Peregrine Fund.

“Within me, there has always been an innate calling to protect and preserve Mongolian culture and wildlife. I am proud to partner with The Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia and the Peregrine Fund to continue to expand our global conservation footprint and protect the region that so many call home,” said Jalsa Urubshurow, Nomadic Expeditions’ founder and CEO.

In 1999, Urubshurow co-founded Mongolia’s famed Golden Eagle Festival with three local Kazakh men, Kazbekh, Edelkhan, and Meduykhan. At the time, despite Mongolia having a rich history related to falconry dating back to 1000 BCE, the traditions were being fast forgotten and there were fewer than 50 families in Mongolia that still maintained the ancient heritage of golden eagle falconry. Jalsa’s vision in creating the festival was that it would help to preserve one of the world’s oldest and most unique cultural traditions. The festival features competitions testing the speed, agility, and accuracy of the Kazakhs, who ride on horseback with their eagles as they have done for centuries. Ceremonies, competitions, and a parade are held to honor the continuation of the national falconry tradition, which was also inscribed in 2010 by UNESCO as a living human heritage.

Today, there are more than 300 ethnic golden eagle falconers in Mongolia and the cultural renaissance is a testament to the Golden Eagle Festival, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2019 and continues to attract travelers from around the world who come to witness the ancient tradition of falconry firsthand. Eco-tourism continues to help bring vital economic stimulus to a region where most people have limited access to schooling, medical care, electricity, water and sanitation, roads, and other essential public services. While the art of golden eagle falconry in Mongolia has historically been a “men’s only” tradition, since the founding of the festival, young girls and women have not only become proficient in the art but have even become skilled enough to partake in the festival competition and win the coveted trophy. In 2015, Aisholpan, a young 13-year-old girl, became the champion. Her story was made into an award-winning documentary movie (The Eagle Huntress) and has been a source of inspiration to many women and girls all over the world.

About Nomadic Expeditions

Nomadic Expeditions is headquartered in Cranbury, New Jersey and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Founded in 1992, Nomadic Expeditions pioneered luxury adventure travel to Mongolia and has since expanded to the neighbouring countries and much of South Asia. The company's commitment to immersive experiences coupled with its sustainable tourism practices has earned it many awards from international media and non-profits. Nomadic Expeditions also built, owns, and operates Three Camel Lodge, an eco-lodge in the Gobi Desert. This founding member of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World offers an elevated take on the traditional nomadic lifestyle with its Buddhist temple-style lodge and Gers or tented nomadic dwellings. To learn more about Nomadic Expeditions, please visit: www.nomadicexpeditions.com.

About Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia

Wildlife Science and Conservation Center of Mongolia is a non-government organization dedicated to preserving nation’s wildlife and their habitat through research, conservation, and public education. It was founded in 2004 and based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It is one of the leading wildlife research and conservation organizations in Mongolia. To learn more about Wildlife Science and Conservation center of Mongolia, please visit: www.wscc.org.mn.