Zebra Survives Crocodile Attack

(Warning-while this video contains stressful scenes of or predator-prey engagement, the zebra escapes and survives!) I captured this incredible #wildlife act of determination, courage and stamina during a #zebra crossing while on safari in early July 2024. Hundreds of thousands of zebras taking part in the Loita migration in Kenya travel south to the Mara River, crossing into the Triangle and onwards in search of salt licks and food. For close to thirty minutes, I watched several hundred zebras make their way across the water as dozens of enormous #crocodiles surfed the rapids, waiting to hunt. While following one small group, I witnessed a younger zebra get taken. For over five minutes my viewfinder followed this solitary animal as it tried to escape from the jaws of a ferocious hunters. It was exceptionally difficult to watch. My heart was pounding in my chest and my inner voice was literally screaming at this zebra to not give up. I was astonished that I was able to witness this young animal, clearly exhausted, escape the jaws of multiple crocodiles, stumble past hippos and walk up onto the bank without a limp. Zebras have been migrating across #crocodile filled waters for 100's of years. They are driven by an extinct to survive and find food. They have no choice but to cross. And the crocodiles know this. It is all part of nature's balanced plan to allow the land to regenerate the food sources the animals need, and to keep the population of grazers balanced with the food sources available. The much aligned crocodile plays a significant and important role, both helping to manage the populations, as well as cleaning the rivers of decaying animals who may not survive the crossings. It was an incredible privilege to bear witness to this centuries old theatre of nature. It was, all at once, mesmerizing, exhausting, upsetting and humbling.