Kakhi Jordania

I am a master falconer, conservationist, and cultural advocate from Tbilisi, Georgia. My life has been shaped by the mountains, skies, and wild landscapes of the Caucasus. When I was ten years old, I watched a golden eagle dive from the cliffs near Kazbegi. That single moment awakened my lifelong fascination with raptors and set me on the path I still follow today.

As a boy, I spent my time sketching hawks and eagles, listening to their calls, and learning from local hunters. My grandfather, a shepherd and hunter, encouraged me to look at birds not just as predators but as partners. In my teenage years, I apprenticed with a traditional falconer in eastern Georgia. There, I learned to train saker falcons and golden eagles, birds once prized by Georgian nobility. I discovered that falconry is not about control, but about patience, respect, and trust.

My journey led me across Central Asia, the Middle East, and Mongolia to study other falconry traditions. Each culture taught me something new and helped me merge ancient wisdom with modern science. In my thirties, I founded the Caucasus Raptor Conservation Initiative (CRCI). Through this work, we have rescued more than 400 raptors, pioneered satellite tracking of migratory species, and partnered with UNESCO to secure recognition of Georgian falconry as intangible cultural heritage.

I also share my passion with the world through live demonstrations at cultural festivals and as the author of Wings of the Caucasus, a memoir and cultural history of falconry translated into five languages. At home near Tbilisi, I live with my wife, our children, and a sanctuary of rescued birds. For me, falconry is a dialogue — a balance between humanity and the wild.