Brave Zebras Survive: Small Group Fights Through Thousands of Wildebeest in Perilous Mara River Crossing, Avoiding Tragic Trampling

Fighting their way through the hordes of wildebeest, a band of zebras bravely attempt to cross one of the Serengeti’s fast-flowing rivers in their bid to reach fresh grasslands.

The annual migration sees thousands of wildebeest move across the plains in search for new grazing opportunities.

Earning their stripes: A band of zebras battle their way through thousands of wildebeest as they attempt to cross the Mara river to reach fresh grasslands

Earning their stripes: A band of zebras battle their way through thousands of wildebeest as they attempt to cross the Mara river to reach fresh grasslands

Battle: The zebras joined an estimated 50,000 wildebeest as they attempted to cross the river during the annual migration on the Serengeti

Battle: The zebras joined an estimated 50,000 wildebeest as they attempted to cross the river during the annual migration on the Serengeti

Survivor: Many wildebeest were trampled to death but all of the zebras managed to survive the crossing

Survivor: Many wildebeest were trampled to death but all of the zebras managed to survive the crossing

Hordes: Photographer Viktoras Dubinskas, 45, captured the scenes and estimated more than 50,000 wildebeest attempted to cross the river

Hordes: Photographer Viktoras Dubinskas, 45, captured the scenes and estimated more than 50,000 wildebeest attempted to cross the river

River-crossing: The annual migration sees thousands of wildebeest move across the plains in search for new grazing opportunities

River-crossing: The annual migration sees thousands of wildebeest move across the plains in search for new grazing opportunities

But as the thousands of wildebeest attempted to cross the Mara river, a smaller group of about ten zebras also made a bid to get to the other side, which left them fighting to make their way through the herd.

Difficult crossing: One zebra was even dunked underwater for around 30 seconds but somehow managed to escape by biting the wildebeest before swimming to safety

Difficult crossing: One zebra was even dunked underwater for around 30 seconds but somehow managed to escape by biting the wildebeest before swimming to safety

Journey: The wildebeest have to make their way across the fast-flowing waters as part of their annual migration

Journey: The wildebeest have to make their way across the fast-flowing waters as part of their annual migration

Struggle: On this occasion a smaller group of about ten zebras also made a bid to get to the other side, which left them fighting to make their way through the herd

Struggle: On this occasion a smaller group of about ten zebras also made a bid to get to the other side, which left them fighting to make their way through the herd

Mr Dubinskas, from Fuengirola, Spain, said: 'I've made more than 20 trips to the wild in Africa but nothing I have seen before can compare to this'

Mr Dubinskas, from Fuengirola, Spain, said: ‘I’ve made more than 20 trips to the wild in Africa but nothing I have seen before can compare to this’

Mr Dubinskas said a number of the wildebeest were trampled to death as they tried to cross the river, although all of the zebras managed to survive

Mr Dubinskas said a number of the wildebeest were trampled to death as they tried to cross the river, although all of the zebras managed to survive

The photographer said: 'When one escaped from the mud by biting all wildebeest around in a panic it was like a miracle'

The photographer said: ‘When one escaped from the mud by biting all wildebeest around in a panic it was like a miracle’

‘I’ve made more than 20 trips to the wild in Africa but nothing I have seen before can compare to this.