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Amazing pictures of Mongolian teen, 13, who is only girl to train golden eagle

Photographer Asher Svidensky chose to focus on the next generation of Mongolian hunters who are the future of keeping this dying part of their culture alive

Set against the backdrop of the beautifully barren Mongolian mountains, these stunning pictures show the turmoil of a teenage girl breaking into the centuries-old male-dominated pastime of eagle hunting.

Photographer Asher Svidensky chose to focus on the next generation of Mongolian hunters who are the future of keeping this dying part of their culture alive.

Israeli-Russian Asher captured the intimate and fascinating pictures of Ashol Pan, aged just 13 - thought to be the only female trained in the traditional Kazakh art.

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In the past this sight would have been unthinkable, but now girls are being taught to control these magnificent birds of prey.
 
Ashol's father, Han Gohadok, explained that his eldest son was due to take over the hunting duties but, as he had been drafted to the army, it was unlikely he would return to resume them.

Despite his daughter's training, Han said he would never think of making her take up the role full-time, unless she explicitly asked to do so.
 
Asher was a photographer in the Israeli army for three years before he moved over to the PR side whilst training to become a tour guide.

He said: ‘I didn't want to add an additional version of the previous shots, but rather look for something more than 'another boy’.’