Xi Zhinong is a renowned wildlife photographer, the founder of Wild China Film and a long time devotee to the photography and protection of Chinese wildlife. His strong passion for the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, an animal that was little known to the public until his documented photos, was evident through the protection of their primary forest habitats. He was the first photographer to report on the crisis of the Tibetan antelopes that were being killed recklessly, bringing the global focus to the protection of them. His Wild China Film and Chinese Wildlife Photography Training Camp helped to increase efforts dedicated to nature protection with photos.
Xi Zhinong is the first Chinese photographer to win the Gerald Durrell Award for Endangered Wildlife, and is the only Chinese photographer to be part of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP). In 2002, his documentary "'Mystery of Yunnan Snub-Nosed Monkey'" won the prestigious TVE Award at the 12th Wildscreen Film Festival in the UK. In 2010, he was named one of the 40 most influential conservation photographers in the world by UK's "Outdoor Photography." His photos of wild animals have been published in "National Geographic," "GEO" and "BBC Wildlife."