Ami Vitale. A Panda's Love.

Did you know that panda moms are some of the most devoted creatures on Earth? They cradle their adorable bundles of fur 24/7 for the first few weeks of their lives—talk about non-stop cuddles!

YeYe, shown here, a sixteen-year-old panda superstar, has been the ultimate teacher, showing her feisty two-year-old cub, Hua Jiao the ropes of life at the Wolong Nature Reserve in China, managed by the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. 

But here's the real scoop: there are fewer than 2,000 Giant Pandas left in the wild. For over thirty years, dedicated researchers have been working tirelessly to breed, release, and protect these magnificent creatures and their bamboo-filled homes.Thanks to their efforts, captive-born pandas are being sent back into the wild, with all the skills they need to thrive. Now, there has been a steady rise of the Giant Panda population, a testament to the unwavering dedication of conservationists. With each panda's journey back to the wild, we're putting the "wild" back into this iconic species.

National Geographic Magazine photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale's work illuminates the unsung heroes and communities working to protect wildlife and finding harmony in our natural world. Ami is the founder and executive director of Vital Impacts, a non-profit that uses art and storytelling to support grassroots conservation and the storytellers who focus on the most important issues of our planet.

Follow Ami Vitale on Instagram @amivitale