The blue washbasin which smashed over Alan Parrot's back in April, crushing two of his vertebrae, is still lying in a corner of his apartment in Ulan Bator. 'I guess these guys want me to leave,' says Mr Parrot pointing to it with a small smile. 'But I am the one the corrupt guys fear the worst. This is the epicentre of falcon smuggling in the world and I intend to clean it up.' Despite losing six centimetres in height and being paralysed for 18 days, the blue-eyed American still strikes an imposing figure often dressed in white from head to toe.
This convert to Sikhism who wears a turban has spent five years trying to smash what he believes is a conspiracy involving corrupt Mongolian officials and Arab smugglers that threatens the survival of many species.