Kakhi Jordania is a world-renowned master falconer, conservationist, and cultural advocate from Tbilisi, Georgia. He has built a career that bridges the ancient traditions of falconry with modern efforts to protect endangered birds of prey.
Jordania’s passion began early. At the age of ten, he witnessed a golden eagle swoop down from the cliffs of Kazbegi. This powerful sight sparked a lifelong fascination with raptors. He later apprenticed under a traditional falconer in eastern Georgia, where he learned to train saker falcons and golden eagles. His journey continued through Central Asia, the Middle East, and Mongolia, where he studied different falconry traditions and combined them with modern science.
In his thirties, Jordania founded the Caucasus Raptor Conservation Initiative (CRCI). Under his leadership, the organisation has rescued and rehabilitated over 400 injured raptors, partnered with UNESCO to secure recognition of Georgian falconry as cultural heritage, and pioneered satellite tracking for migratory species. He is also the author of Wings of the Caucasus, a widely translated book that blends memoir with cultural history.
Beyond conservation, Jordania is known for his public demonstrations of falconry at international cultural festivals, from Abu Dhabi to Berlin. His work has earned him global recognition, including the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Advocate award and the Global Conservation Award.
At home, Jordania lives with his wife and children near Tbilisi, where their home doubles as a sanctuary for rescued birds. His philosophy is simple: “Falconry is not control. It is trust. It is the space where wildness meets humanity.”
In Conversation with Kakhi Jordania: Falconry, Culture, and Conservation
Q&A with Kakhi Jordania
When did your journey with falconry begin?
I grew up in Tbilisi, surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains. My grandfather was a shepherd and hunter, and he introduced me to birds of prey. When I was ten, I saw a golden eagle swoop down from the cliffs of Kazbegi. That moment stayed with me. I knew I wanted to spend my life with these birds.
How did you first learn the skills of falconry?
I became an apprentice to a traditional falconer in eastern Georgia. He taught me how to train saker falcons and golden eagles, birds that have been part of Georgian culture for centuries. It was not just about training. It was about respect, patience, and trust. Later, I travelled to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Mongolia to learn from other traditions. Each place added something to my understanding.
What inspired you to move from tradition into conservation?
I realised that if the birds themselves disappeared, the tradition would also vanish. Falconry is not separate from nature. Protecting raptors became just as important as practising the craft. That is why I founded the Caucasus Raptor Conservation Initiative.
What has CRCI achieved so far?
We have rescued and rehabilitated more than 400 raptors. We worked with UNESCO to secure recognition of Georgian falconry as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. We also introduced satellite tracking to follow saker falcons and imperial eagles across their migratory routes. Education is another key part. We run programmes in rural schools so children can learn about ecology and tradition together.
You often speak about the symbolism of the falconer’s glove. What does it mean to you?
For me, the glove is not control. It is trust. When a bird chooses to land on it, that is a decision. It shows balance between human and wild. This is also how I see our responsibility to the environment. It is about partnership, not ownership.
How do you bring falconry to a wider audience?
I perform demonstrations at cultural festivals around the world. In Abu Dhabi or Berlin, people watch a falcon dive at full speed and feel something ancient awaken in them. It connects them to nature in a powerful way. I use these events to talk about conservation as well.
You are also an author. Tell us about your book, Wings of the Caucasus.
The book is part memoir, part cultural history. I wanted to show how falconry has shaped identity in Georgia. It is not a forgotten custom. It is alive, and it has lessons for the future. The book has been translated into five languages, and I am proud that people in different cultures can connect with it.
What recognition have you received for your work?
I was honoured to be named a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Advocate in 2019. In 2021, I received the Global Conservation Award. I am also an honorary member of the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey. But for me, the true recognition is when a child holds a falconer’s glove for the first time and understands what responsibility means.
What does life look like when you are not travelling?
At home outside Tbilisi, my wife and I live with our two children and many rescued birds. Falcons, owls, and eagles share our space. It is a family life and a sanctuary at the same time. I also paint birds in flight, play the panduri, and hike in the mountains.
What message would you like to leave with readers?
Falconry has taught me that trust is the foundation of every relationship, whether with a bird or with nature itself. We do not all need to train falcons, but we all share the duty to protect the skies they fly in.
