Ami Vitale. Yeye in the Mist.

Ye Ye, a 16-year-old giant panda, lounges in a wild enclosure at a conservation center in Wolong Nature Reserve.

By breeding and releasing pandas, augmenting existing populations, and protecting habitat, China is on its way to successfully saving their most famous ambassador, and in the process, putting the wild back into an icon.

Ami Vitale's career stands as a testament to her deep dedication to documenting and addressing global crises. As an acclaimed National Geographic photographer, writer, and documentary filmmaker, as well as the founder of Vital Impacts, Ami has consistently spotlighted critical issues affecting our world. Her journey began in conflict zones, where she observed firsthand how environmental degradation—from resource scarcity to climate change—intensifies human suffering and conflict.

Follow Ami on Instagram @amivitale