In the northern mountains of Khvsgl Aimag, Mongolia, the Tsaatan people have been raising and herding reindeer for thousands of years. One of the last groups of nomadic reindeer herders in the world, they depend on their animals for almost all of their basic needs.

But the region's reindeer population has been shrinking dramatically because of inbreeding and disease , and only 40 families still continue the tradition. According to the Tsaatan Community and Visitors Center, others were forced to move to nearby tourist spots like Lake Hovsgol, posing for photos with tourists as another way to supplement their income.

Photographer Pascal Mannaerts traveled to the region in June 2014 and spent ten days with one of the few remaining families left that make a living off the reindeer trade.

Discover the lives of Bolorma, Ulziitsetseg, Tuvshinbayar, Ulziichimig, Narahuu and Ulziisaihan in Pascal Mannaerts beautiful photos below.