Earning their stripes: Zebra go head to head with wildebeest in battle to cross river to reach grasslands 

·        Band of zebras fight their way through thousands of wildebeest as they attempt to make their way across river

·        Photographer Viktoras Dubinskas captured the scenes at the Mara river as the zebras battled their way through water

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

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.

As they make the journey however they are forced to attempt to find a way across the frantic waters.  

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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

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

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

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

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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. 

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

He decided to focus on the brave zebra, capturing a series of stunning shots as they battled their way across the river.

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

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

Mr Dubinskas, from Fuengirola, Spain, said: 'When I finished shooting my driver and I were left speechless.

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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

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

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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

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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'

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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

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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.

'Shooting herds is never easy but when the zebra entered the river they gave us something to focus on.

'When one escaped from the mud by biting all wildebeest around in a panic it was like a miracle.'