Deadly Treks for Survival | Incredible Animal Journeys MEGA Episode | Nat Geo Animals

Alaska's six-month-long winter is finally loosening its grip. [bear grunts] [yawning] To survive here, animals have got to race to the waking rivers far below. [cub screeching] Last fall, this female brown bear climbed to the safety of a high mountain den and, for the first time, gave birth. Six months later, hungrier than ever, she is setting out on an epic journey... ...with her two vulnerable cubs. [cub whimpering] In the distance, a more experienced mom is one step ahead. Her two older cubs have learned a quicker way down. [groaning] [growling] This is no place to stick around. [rumbling] [crackling] Each day the spring melt dials up the danger. [growls] [creaking] [boom] 100,000 tons of snow and ice, charging at 100 miles per hour, will take no prisoners. The seasoned mom's wise decision-making has kept her cubs alive for two years. But the first-time mother has a tough road ahead. Just one in two cubs are likely to make it through their first perilous year. To secure their future, she must make it down the mountain... [cub moaning] [moaning] ...timing her arrival to the river... ...with the greatest migration of 'em all. By late May, spring meltwater opens the floodgates... ...for the one journey on which all others depend. Alaska's animals... [shriek] ...some going it alone... ...others traveling together... ...must battle devastating odds, all racing down to the river, to cross paths with the life-bringing salmon. As spring turns to summer in the North Pacific Ocean, a determined adventurer is setting out on a very important journey. A female pink salmon on her way home. And she's not alone. Half a billion salmon returning to spawn. From 2,000 miles away, remembering patterns in the earth's magnetic field... ...she lasers in on the exact river she left as a tiny fish. Arriving at the coast where melt and seawater mix, they are funneled into this gloomy fjord. Salmon shark. The great white's smaller cousin. These ambush predators have traveled thousands of miles to join the race to feed. Only 5% of all Pacific salmon survive the ocean phase of their journey. This mother-to-be is one of the lucky ones. But to lay her eggs in the same gravel beds where she was born, there's now a whole new set of obstacles to overcome. Over the coming months, salmon will race up almost every river along this Pacific coast. Some on a 2,000-mile marathon. The equivalent of swimming from New York to Florida and back, uphill. Until she gets to the river below, the hungry brown bear mom still has mouths to feed. Halfway down from their mountain den, she's stepping in the paw prints of her ancestors. [cub whimpers] [cub crying] Grandmother trails... ...laid down by generations of travelers. [growl] Leading the family down through pristine temperate rain forests. And finally, out to the coastal plain. They're here for one of the few items on the menu at this time of year. Sedge grass. High in protein, it'll tide them over until they reach the salmon. But for now, nothing beats mom's fat, rich milk. [suckling] [bellowing] Life on the road is never peaceful for long. Huge 1,000-pound males come here, too. [roaring] In these meadows, they'll fight for the right to mate. Mom needs to be careful. [cub screeches] To get to her, the winner would kill her cubs. Backing off is the only option. Exhausted from the battle, the hulking male can't keep up. They've escaped. With some fuel in their bellies, it's safer to keep moving and continue on to the river. [birds chirping] By midsummer... ...everyone's joined the race... ...to take advantage of this time of plenty. Rufous hummingbirds have migrated 4,000 miles from Mexico to feed. A rough-skinned newt... [frogs croaking] ...on her own miniature trek ...to choose a mate. And high above, another traveler is preparing for their incredible journey to the river. [eagle chirping] [chirping] After months of round-the-clock care... [screeching] ...this demanding young bald eagle has just gotten his last free meal. Mom's done everything she can for him. [chirp] It's a moment every teenager faces in life. Time to fly the nest... ...and fend for himself. But it's an 80-foot drop. [shrieking] The first step of his journey is a leap of faith. That wasn't so bad. He's already found his wings. Spanning six feet wide, he can glide for miles. It's a good thing, 'cause now he'll have to live life on the move. Ahead of him lies a two-month-long quest. Over 800 miles south to a special river in British Columbia with a vital run of salmon. The problem is, traveling alone, this naïve youngster has no idea how to get there. Far downstream, summer runoff has filled the rivers. Alaska's great salmon race is on. Leaving the sea behind... ...the salmon are entering the lower part of the river... ...on a one-way trip with no return. To find her way back to the gravel beds where she was born, this mom-to-be has an amazing memory... ...following sights and smells logged in her brain when she first swam out to sea. Where there's a fork in the river, she knows exactly which way to turn. She's on track, but unfortunately for her, her spawning grounds lie above a 30-mile gauntlet. Fast-flowing rapids, vicious whirlpools and towering waterfalls. But she's no ordinary fish. She can leap the human equivalent of a four-story building. But she's got to do it again... ...and again. Halfway there... ...she's exhausted. She's not just fighting the current. No longer feeding, many salmon are already wasting away. Precious energy used up, morphing their bodies ready to breed. Some years, 90% don't make it to spawn. Only the toughest moms-to-be have enough in the tank for one final giant hurdle. She can only jump halfway, but thrashing her tail, she can power up the final few feet... ...and over the lip of the fall. Just a few more miles to go. [grunting] After months on the road, half-starved... [groans] ...the first-time mom's journey has taken its toll. [cub moans] She's lost one of her two cubs, most likely to a big male. All of her focus is on keeping her remaining cub alive... ...who is understandably scared of everything. [caw] [crying] Finally, the river. Mom's led her to a special creek, where she hopes to fish in safety. But others have the same idea. [cries] Hunger drives her forward. It turns out she's in good company. This is a secret sanctuary for mothers and cubs, away from big male bears. Time for mom to get fishing. Just one problem. The salmon aren't here yet. And her search takes her into deeper water. Separated from mom, her cub's on edge. [bears growling] As fights break out over the prime fishing spots... ...she only knows one way to stay safe. Run. Her cub's gone. All alone in the forest, her survival chances are slim. [grunt] It's every mother's worst nightmare. [cub cries] Her cub could be anywhere. Like the bear cub, the juvenile bald eagle is lost and all alone. Running on empty, this clueless teenager has no idea how to reach the feeding grounds at the river... ...over 800 miles south. But if he's learned one thing... [eagle shrieking] ...it's that other adults mean food. He follows the male ahead of him, who's set his sights on a flock of coots. [coots croaking] [coot honking] Catching one takes experience, but this hungry rookie has another play. He's going for an interception... ...forcing his opponent... ...to fumble. Now he's just got to hold on. He's not the only stubborn teenager forced to make a steal. He'll eat today, but a third of juvenile bald eagles won't survive their first year. Following the lead of adults... ...is the only way... ...he will make it hundreds of miles south to the salmon. For over an hour the bear mom calls out in desperation for her lost cub. Alone in the forest, she's unlikely to last long. [distant cries] Somehow, she survived. [mom calling] [calling] [cooing] You don't get many second chances in this harsh wilderness. Their long journey's almost over. Just around the corner, everything they've endured is about to pay off. Battling 100 miles upstream, a first wave of salmon are closing in on their spawning grounds. And all the bears are ready. Everyone can finally dig in. Up to 40 salmon a day. It's why mom came all this way. [gulls squawking] Fishing seems easy enough. Time to give it a try. But they're bigger than they look. Landing a five-pounder is one thing... ...but the real trick is holding on. This female pink salmon has run an almost impossible obstacle course. Finally, turning into the stream where she was born. [birds squawking] She's home. She's one of the lucky ones. For every 1,000 fish who set out, only two will survive to spawn. [squawking] The waters here are calm enough and the gravel just coarse enough... ...that if she digs out a nest... ...her eggs will remain protected through the winter ahead. The males that have made it this far have one last brutal challenge. They must fight to pass on the strongest genes. The female releases her eggs to the nest and allows the dominant male to fertilize them... ...although others still try to sneak in. Every extraordinary obstacle she's overcome has led to this. A whole new generation of tiny travelers... ...wait until next spring... ...when their own adventure will begin. For their dedicated mother, the race is over. But in death she has one last gift. Carried far inland... ...to her final resting place... ...salmon release critical nutrients... ...and enrich the soil. Trees grow three times faster around salmon rivers. Her sacrifice brings life to the Alaskan wilderness. With the first snow, further south, the salmon offer one final prize. After two months following the other adults... ...the juvenile eagle reaches the river that will nourish him long into the winter. Warmer waters here mean salmon can spawn later... ...providing one last banquet... ...attracting thousands of eagles. [eagle calling] If he's to survive, this youngster will have to take his place at the table. But this time, other adults facing lean weeks ahead will fight over every last scrap of food. The teen has proven he can hold his own. And now that he's learned the way, he's got the best chance to survive. After two and a half months fishing the Alaskan rivers... ...the first-time mom has gained over 200 pounds. Enough fat for her and her daughter to make it through the winter ahead... ...high up in their mountain den. Like so many here, their whole lives are shaped by the journey of the salmon. As long as the Alaskan river race continues, it will keep them... ...and this incredible place alive. The Arctic is a tough place to be a parent; even tougher when you have to lead your family on an epic journey just to survive. [wind howling] 40 degrees below. [cub groans] All too tempting to stay in. Mom can't afford to get too cozy, though. [cub squeaks] After nursing for three months and losing two pounds of fat every day, she's starving. But breakfast is over 100 miles away, out on the Hudson Bay sea ice. [squeak] Leave too soon, and her puppy-size cubs will struggle to keep up. But if she doesn't get to eat, none of them stand a chance. With the arrival of the spring sun, she makes her move. She leads them into a world of new sights... sounds... and scares. One day they'll grow up to be the world's most powerful land predator. But not today. [grunts] As a single mom, her job is to keep them safe on the most dangerous journey of their lives. Approaching the coast, she's on high alert. [howl] This is wolf territory. Packs patrol the shores of Canada's Hudson Bay and could target polar bear cubs. Mom's incredible sense of smell helps her pick up their scent from over five miles away... ...giving her cubs a crucial head start. [chuffing] [whimpers] Her years of experience have helped them sneak through enemy lines. She's made it to the frozen ocean. Ahead, a four-month journey out onto the sea ice. She sets a course northeast, cubs safely in tow... ...to find her first meal in eight months. Nothing is easy here in the Arctic. Polar parents must make incredible journeys, teaching their young how to make it through, all racing to make the most of the short Arctic summer in a world that's changing faster than ever before. [barks] While some parents are just setting out, others are ending a long winter on the move. This male arctic fox has spent the last six months... alone. [sniffing] He really goes the distance when food is in short supply. One even clocked more than 1,000 miles in just over two months. This little guy has been surviving off his street smarts. [squawk] You can't be too careful when you're only 12 inches tall. [seagulls squawking] In the Arctic, even leftovers are a reason to celebrate. With spring in the air, he's heading home to reunite with his lifelong mate. They've spent the long winter apart, searching for food. He must find her if there's any hope of starting a family. Maybe she hasn't survived the winter. Ah, there she is. Together again. [yipping] Time to get on with the business of becoming a mom and dad and to raise their litter of pups before the end of summer. The top of the world at the end of winter. [snort] In Alaska's extreme north, a three-year-old caribou is starting her own journey to become a parent. Five months pregnant, she's scraping by on a diet of frozen lichen. Life as a caribou is never lonely. She's one of a 100,000-strong herd, sticking close together for good reason. She has her own wolves to contend with. [howling] The pack has had a long, tough winter as well, and they're hungry. To avoid becoming their next meal, she must stay vigilant. She sounds the alarm. [bark] [caribou grunting] Heavily pregnant, she can't risk getting left behind. The wolves' strategy is to run them into the ground. Those that stumble won't last long. [birds cawing] One caribou can keep the pack fed for days. Safely tucked within the herd, she sets off on a 300-mile trek... ...scaling the mighty Brooks Range. At 9,000 feet, the Arctic's highest mountains. She needs to make it to the rich grasslands of the north... ...where she can raise her unborn calf. The polar bear mom already has two hungry mouths to feed. The next four months are make or break. If she doesn't find enough to eat, her cubs might not see their first birthday. But this ice bear is in her element. Over the spring and summer, she'll lead her cubs nearly 2,000 miles across the frozen Hudson Bay to find the food that they need to survive. Sea ice forms the perfect hunting ground. She can smell a seal from 20 miles away. [thud] Success relies on patience... ...and explosive speed. [seal yelps] [cub roars] Hunting season is short. If she's to get her cubs through the summer, mom must catch every seal she can. [chime] Long days and gentle warmth melt the ice and snow... ...transforming the remote Arctic islands of Svalbard. [birds chattering] The fox couple swap their warm winter whites... [screech] ...for cool summer coats. And they have five hungry new mouths to feed. Male arctic foxes make the most devoted dads, working tirelessly to put food on the table. The millions of little auks that have crossed the Arctic Ocean to be here could feed his family for months, if he can catch them nesting among the boulders. [chattering] [wings fluttering] He's always one step behind. They're giving him the runaround. He just can't get his paws on them. To feed his pups, he needs to work smarter, not harder. A good start. Still not enough for a growing family who needs to fatten up over the short summer months. Seasons change fast in the Arctic. The caribou mom-to-be is running with her herd... ...following ancient pathways as they have for over 50,000 years. Along with half a million other females across North America, she's nearing her ancestral calving grounds 300 miles to the north. Reaching grasslands packed with superfoods... ...just when she needs them most. She's eating for two. Her newborn calf, just days old. She's totally dependent on her mom. Soon, she'll need to lead this little one across thousands of miles of tundra. But first... ...her calf has to find her snow legs. And just in time. Trouble's brewing beneath their feet. Mosquitoes that spend the winter in a state of suspended animation under the snow are emerging. [buzzing] As the planet warms, an earlier spring supercharges the swarm. Caribou can lose half a pint of blood in a day. One in four calves die during this first month. But mom's been here before and knows a way out. [calf grunting] They join a mass exodus... ...to the mountains, where cool winds keep biting insects at bay. But up here, food is scarce. They can't stay for long. For every Arctic parent, the quest for food can mean life or death. Only one of the polar bear's cubs has made it. The other, most likely lost to starvation. Even the most dedicated parent sometimes struggles to provide. Mom can't afford to lose them both. But her world is melting around her. As a last resort, she tries to hunt from the water. [roar] Just one in 10 hunts is successful. And it's only getting harder. With the Arctic warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet, Hudson Bay is melting earlier year on year, shortening her hunting season by up to a month. It's time to cut their losses and head back to land. They walked here, but a 100-mile swim for her cub is out of the question. So, mom hitches a ride on her very own life raft. By sensing the movement of the ice, she knows she's heading back to shore. A chance to lie back and let the current do the work. For some Arctic parents, the summer melt is the start of leaner times. But for others, it brings all the food they can eat. The arctic fox dad has his pups to look out for. It's why he made his journey to raise them in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. High above on the dizzying sea cliffs... ...murre chicks are ready to fledge and about to start their own migration. But at just three weeks old, they still can't fly. Over 1,000 feet up, there's only one way down to the ocean below, nearly half a mile away. Their parents believe in tough love. Time for a little gentle encouragement. Out of reach. But over a few short days, thousands of first-time skydivers make the leap. Some... ...fall short. This is dad's big chance. But with so many to choose from, he doesn't know They're faster than they look. His pups are relying on him; the pressure is on. Got one. He'll need to catch bird after bird while he can to feed his hungry pups. Finally, he's on a roll. High above, one of the last to go. But dad's right behind him. Even helping out a bit. Wings found, now he's got to stay on course. He's starting a 2,000-mile Arctic voyage of his own. There's always one that gets away. Every Arctic parent has to do whatever it takes to raise the next generation. The fox dad making sure his pups have enough food to prepare them for their life ahead. [gentle snoring] At the height of summer, the caribou mom is finally within reach of the rich pastures she needs to secure her calf's future. But in her way, in the valleys below, rivers swelling with meltwater. It's a danger they've not yet had to face together. Mom knows it's best to stick with the herd, seeking shelter from the current. But it's her calf's first time in deep water. And this river is powerful. It's a parent's worst nightmare to lose sight of their child. [calf bleating] Dry land. But they're still only halfway across. [calf bleats] This time, mom sticks close to try and shield her exhausted calf from the current. [splash] [mom grunting] Mom is powerless to help. But they've come this far together. She won't give up on her calf now. [bleating, grunting] [bleating] Time to pick up the pace and rejoin the safety of the herd. There's enough food here to sustain them until the beginning of winter. This caribou mom has done her job, teaching her calf how to make a journey that will now become her way of life. The polar bear mom is also nearing the end of her journey. She's so close, she can smell the land. Just one more short swim... ...through dangerous waters. Heavyweight males have already been forced off the melting ice. They're on the lookout for an easy meal, like a bear cub. Luckily, there's something more substantial on the menu. Beluga whales. [blows air] [blowing] Every year thousands come to this bay to give birth, feed, and socialize. These ingenious bears have learned a new hunting technique to make the most of this opportunity. Waiting on giant rocks... ...to launch their ambush. It keeps them distracted... ...allowing mom and cub to make it to shore. Her first instinct is to head for the safety of home, back to where it all began. But the smell of a fresh kill is too much to resist. It forces her to make a tough call... ...and head into danger. She stands her ground... ...and steals what could be their last meal in months. Now starts the final leg of their journey inland. After a 2,000-mile trek and teaching her cub how to navigate one of the world's most treacherous landscapes... ...she's home. Raising a family is never easy. They'll spend the next two years traveling, facing every challenge together. This mom doing everything she can for her cub in one of the toughest places to be a parent. Some journeys will last a lifetime, but they all begin with a first step. [wildebeest lowing] On Tanzania's Serengeti, just minutes old, this little foal is about to set out on one of the greatest land migrations on Earth. [snorting] Born lucky, she's starting life at the perfect time... [zebra braying] ...and in the perfect place. Spring rains means plenty of grass. At this time of year, 8,000 wildebeest are born here every day. To avoid getting lost in the crowd, she's got to learn Mom's unique smell... [braying] ...and call. Still a little unsteady. In just one hour, she'll be ready to run. And she'll need to. On the African savanna, your luck can change in an instant. [hyena whooping] This baby boom draws in Africa's fiercest hunters. [hyena yipping] In the mist... ...superior low light vision... ...gives predators the edge. The foal needs to stick with her mom. But in the confusion, another youngster has lost his mother. He's disoriented. [whooping and yipping] And surrounded. Some journeys end before they've even begun. Less than half of newborns survive their first year on this, one of the most brutal migrations on the planet. Her best chance... always stay close to Mom. With so many mouths to feed, the grass here won't last forever. So this little foal must set out on her first ever journey. Joining over a million wildebeest on an epic thousand-mile trek heading north to the rich pastures of Kenya's Maasai Mara. [grumbling] And she's not the only one heading out into the unknown. [squeal] Here, in East Africa, animals must learn to live life on the move. On routes passed down through generations. All of them battling the odds, as they face these incredible journeys for the very first time. In Kenya's southern savanna, one of these first journeys is already under way. The rains have failed here for a third year. Bad time to be a newborn. Drought is all this baby elephant has ever known. [trumpeting] When it rains, there's water and food to be found all across his 600-mile home range. But, for now, the calf's relying on the wisdom of his family to lead him to one of the last remaining oases. [hippo grunting] A manmade water hole. An adult can easily drink 30 gallons in one go. His mom's so thirsty... he's been left on his own. That's asking for trouble. [bird squawks] Manmade water holes can be a lifesaver during drought. [squeaking] But they can also be a death trap. The steep sides mean even adults struggle to get out. It's not easy without hands. His mom even tries to create a step. His whole family comes to the rescue. But they still can't figure out how to save him. His inexperienced mom takes a big risk. Crossing to the other side. [grumble] Now in deep water for the first time... ...he can barely swim... ...or control his trunk to breathe. Finally, his trust in Mom pays off. Almost there. Exhausted. [growling and trumpeting] But there are no timeouts for this elephant. There might be water here, but there's little left to eat. He'll need to follow his family deeper into the wild... as they struggle to find food in this, the driest year in decades. Coming of age is never easy. But some don't have family to show them the ropes. [honking] In the greener realm of Kenya's Great Rift Valley... ...this young female flamingo has spent four years growing up on the move. Now she's entering uncharted waters... ...on her first ever quest to find a mate. Lake Bogoria. A salt lake so toxic it can burn human skin. But for a thick-skinned flamingo, it's paradise. Bursting with her favorite food, a protein-rich algae called spirulina. To win the dating game, she's got to double her weight. Through her sieve-like beak, she slurps up 80 gallons of algal soup every day. It's a super food that not only plumps her up... over three weeks, it also turns her pale plumage... ...a dazzling pink. Her transformation is complete. But this first-timer still has a long way to go. This lake might have food, but it's not the place To have any hope of finding love, she'll have to follow the rest of the flock. [zebra braying, wildebeest lowing] Traveling with an entourage can help show you the way. The young zebra is just days into her first great march west. The enormous herd moves only seven miles a day. Ahead is a five-month-long marathon with hundreds of miles to go, across the savanna, to the green pastures north of the Mara River. To keep her energy up, the foal has to feed at least once an hour. Around her, the herd munches their way through 5,000 tons of grass a day. Leaving plenty of time to play. And depositing something precious. For a dung beetle, it's manna from heaven. But competition is fierce. The best strategy-- ball up as much as you can and make a run for it. And so begins another epic journey. Pushing up to 50 times his own weight. This tiny traveler navigates by the sun. Plotting a dead straight line to escape his rivals. He races to find a safe place to hide his hard-won meal. But things can get tricky without his guiding light. He'd be a tasty snack for a marabou stork. Better freeze. Crisis averted. Finally, with his 60-foot marathon behind him, a quiet spot to bury his ball and work his magic. A little journey with a big impact. Dung beetles recycle three quarters of all the dung on the Serengeti, turning it into rich fertilizer for the grass. Everyone benefits. [lowing] And the migration can keep moving. [trumpet] There's also no rest for the young elephant. Drought still holds his home in its grip. For every step his mother takes... ...he takes six. But his first journey could be his last. The punishing conditions mean a fifth of African elephants won't even survive their first year. Thirst drives them on. The head of his family uses her incredible memory to guide them. The river she remembers has run dry. But she can smell water from over three miles away. She gets digging. The river is still running underground. Without enough water, the adults will last only three days. Copying them is how the curious little toddler learns, but now is not the time. [calf chittering] This little elephant can count on Mom's milk. Still, practice makes perfect. [slurping] Water is scarce, but it's not usually thirst that kills elephants. It's starvation. An adult needs to eat 300 pounds of vegetation a day. They have to keep moving to find food. This young apprentice will need to keep up. There's a first time for everything, even when you're a flamingo. On her quest for love, this hopeful debutante has followed the flock to Kenya's Lake Elmenteita. [cacophony of honking] Where lesser flamingos are meeting up in their thousands. Dressed in perfect pink and ready for the event of the season. Now, just to lock in her perfect partner from this vast dating pool. Water levels here are just right. Not too deep, not too shallow... ...for some to make their first moves. A dance like this takes talent and can last for hours. She's looking for a connection in the crowd. One eligible bachelor catches her eye. Time to get to know each other. But this party has an uninvited guest. A spotted hyena. With the dancers distracted... ...he launches a sneak attack. Causing mayhem... ...and tragedy. The party's over. The young flamingo makes her escape with her new partner, setting out to the one place she can safely start her first family. The young zebra and her family are now three months into their Serengeti journey. There's been no rain for weeks. For this novice, the going is getting tougher. Good thing she not only has her mom to look out for her. She's traveling with an extended family of females and young, all watched over by her father. A female cheetah... [flies buzzing] ...training her three cubs to hunt. The easiest prey: young zebra. Dad stands his ground... ...buying time for the foal. The rookie hunters cause panic. But it's not the youngsters the foal should fear. It's their mom. Now she's in a race for her life... ...with Mom and Dad running interference. [panting] Even an experienced cheetah is no match for this united family. Panic over. It's time to keep moving toward the Mara. [elephant grumbling] The young elephant is still pushing on through the drought. To end their relentless search for food and water, his family needs rain to refresh the land. [thunder] a low-frequency rumble. From over 100 miles away, they can sense a storm is brewing. In a world where rains are becoming highly unpredictable, every drop counts. It's the calf's first taste of rain. In just one week, the land completely transforms. [grumbling and trumpeting] Finally, the food they so desperately need. It's thought in recent years climate change now kills 20 times more elephants here than poaching. The calf's made it this far, but he'll need more than one storm to guarantee his future. Persistence pays off, especially when you're learning on the move. The young flamingo and her partner are homing in on their final destination. Tanzania's Lake Natron, a hostile volcanic lake so hot and corrosive, most avoid it. But it's prime real estate for flamingos. One of the only places in Africa that's safe for her to raise a family... on islands away from roving predators. Here she can build her nest in peace. And lay her single egg. She was born in this very place. Now she's becoming a mom, raising her chick to take baby steps of its own. [chick chirping] The zebra is also on the home stretch. After five months and hundreds of miles, the pastures of the Mara are finally within reach. But there's one thing in her way. The Mara River. Across the water is grass that will sustain her family for many months. But the zebra is about to find out why the Mara is known as the river of death. The huge herd will swarm around the bank for days. Until someone's brave enough to take the first step. A moment of courage... ...or a push from behind? Herd mentality kicks in. With the wildebeest blazing a trail, the zebras are driven on... by the promise of fresh grass. But Mom's been here before, so she's in no hurry. It's all too easy to drown... or get crushed in the crowd. The foal is not the only one making this crossing for the first time. Another zebra has taken her young foal to cross away from the crowds. Here the water is shallower... but the current is deceptively strong. He needs to catch up. It's been months since the crocodiles have eaten. They're out in force. It's all down to timing... ...and luck. The foal has stayed by Mom's side. Keep up. And watch out. Turning back may have saved her life. But now she's separated from her family. She'll have to face the terror again... this time, alone. Her mother's call... ...is all the encouragement she needs. [wildebeest bellows] [wildebeest groans] [foal braying] The grass here will keep her and her family well fed until it's time for the long trek south, She will make this treacherous journey many times in her lifetime, but the first time is always the toughest.