The national animal of Kazakhstan is the golden eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos). This predator is an important symbol of the country and its culture.
The golden eagle is revered! People here love the golden eagle so much, and respect it, too. It represents the country's strength, independence, freedom and flight into the future. For centuries, this eagle was incorporated into the flags of Kazakh tribes. It is now one of the main pictures on the current Kazakh flag, adopted in 1992.
The golden eagle symbol carries meaning in the local culture, too. For more than one thousand years, eagle hunting has been a part of Kazakh culture. Eagle hunters are called berkutchi (Russian: беркутчи, Kazakh: бүркітші). They capture golden eagles young, often from the nest. They train them over the course of several years. Berkutchi typically hunt foxes on horseback. The eagle swoops down on the fox and clamps the fox's mouth shut with its talons. Then, the berkutchi rides over to capture the fox.
In the old days, eagle hunting was an important way for people to get meat and fur for the winter. Today, eagle hunting has become less popular. Now, eagle hunting is mostly done for cultural preservation and tourists. Each year, the Kazakh tradition of eagle hunting is showcased at the annual Golden Eagle Festival over the first weekend of October in Bayan-Ölgii, Mongolia.
