Xue Yongkang has only to call, and the rhesus monkeys of the Qianling Mountains scamper to him from all directions.

In the mid-1980s, the Qianling Zoo returned many of its rhesus monkeys to the wild in the mountains. The monkey population quickly grew, eventually leading to food shortages.

With the monkeys facing a survival crisis, about a dozen senior citizens, including Xue, began to feed the peckish primates.

Xue, 68, is retired from his job in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province. He and his wife use their meager pensions to buy food for their furry friends.

Having known him for years, the monkeys consider Xue one of their own.

"It gives me pleasure to feed the monkeys in my autumn years," said Xue. "I treat them as if they are my kids. I get rather dejected if I can't see them every day."

Currently, there are more than 500 rhesus monkeys in the area in five groups. Xue and his fellow feeders have inspired more Guiyang citizens to join the monkey-care team.