A zebra breaks a leg

Introduction

During the months July to November each year the great migration brings more than a million wildebeest and some half a million of other plains’ game into the Masai Mara Game Reserve. As the multitude of wildebeest and zebras reach the they congregate on the shore and need to cross it to continue their search for grass. Instinct in some and experience in others makes them scared of crossing. They hesitate for hours near the water until peer pressure from behind or thirst is instrumental in driving the first animal in the water. Once the first animal begins to cross the rest will follow no matter of the danger.

The spearhead of a large herd of zebras has been pushed into the river by other animals on the shore and are quenching their thirst.

The zebras are very nervous and panic several times before the first animal starts the crossing proper.

The crossing has started. This zebra is aware of the crocodile but continues on as if it was not afraid, but it is.

Something snags its rear left leg, probably two sharp rocks, but with the crocodile near the zebra panics and struggles violently.

Breaks its left rear leg and struggles to get up.

The poor animal is bewildered by its predicament.

Other animals pass by the zebra totally ignoring its struggles.

Another zebra passes near and seems to give some comfort to the wounded companion.

The comfort is short lived as the poor animal painfully reaches and attempts to climb the bank on the other side of the river.

The first few attempts result only in pain and helplessness.

Finally the zebra reaches the shore, but it cannot go any further. In its condition it is only a matter of time before a predator will take it, probably a crocodile. Returning some hours later at this site the zebra with a broken leg was no longer there.