CAN MANKIND SURVIVE NATURE'S DEADLIEST MIGRATION?

In National Geographic Channel's New Series "Mygrations," 20 Elite Men and Women Brave Harsh Elements, Deadly Predators and Each Other as They Attempt to Endure Africa's Grueling Wildebeest Migration

(Pasadena, Calif. - Jan. 6, 2016) Each spring, in a desperate bid for survival, 1.3 million wildebeests race hundreds of miles north from the dry southern Serengeti plains to the lush grasses of the Maasai Mara in Kenya. It's an incredibly dangerous journey through a landscape dominated by apex predators, including lions, leopards, hyenas and crocodiles. Tens of thousands of wildebeests won't make it - so how will humans fare?

Premiering in spring 2016, National Geographic Channel's new series Mygrations follows a team of 20 men and women in a feat that has never been attempted, as they set out on foot, unarmed and without a map or compass, to follow in the footsteps of the wildebeests. The human herd must cross hundreds of miles of scorched savannah - where water, food and shelter are hard to find, but lethal predators roam unchecked - to reach the Mara River, the pinnacle of the wildebeests' death-defying quest for life. The series, produced by Emmy(R)-award winning October Films, will later air globally on National Geographic Channel in 171 countries and 45 languages, and on the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com or our press site www.foxflash.com, or follow us on Twitter using @NGC_PR.

"Mygrations is a series that truly embraces National Geographic's pillars of exploration and adventure," said Tim Pastore, NGC's global president of original programming and production. "The human herd's journey not only pushes the limits of human spirit and capability in extreme conditions, but demonstrates the strengths and resilience our ancestors needed to survive."

Join the team on their exhausting and perilous six-week journey from the birthplace of mankind in the southern Serengeti, north to the Mara River, on a path carved by billions of hooves over countless centuries. Before embarking on their journey, the human herd load their packs with rations of food and water and seek guidance from a native tribe. While wildebeests are perfectly designed for the hurdles the migration presents, the humans are vulnerable in the face of such a primal test. With hundreds of miles in front of them, preparedness will be key to survival.

As the migration progresses, the human herd of 20 - made up of ex-special forces, survivalists, athletes, farmers and others - will thin to a hard-core elite as individuals tap out due to exhaustion, hunger or injury. The remaining group will fight their way to the finish - encountering mountains, deep ravines, impassable bogs, scorching plains and raging rivers. Beyond these fault lines, they must avoid countless predators lurking in long grass, in the water and in the shade of darkness. Every day brings them closer to safety while testing the limits of the human spirit and capability in Africa's most unforgiving playground.

Meet the herd:

Rob D. - Washington, D.C. - Former Navy SEAL - Age 48. Rob's time in the Navy taught him a number of skills that could prove vital in the savannah, including navigation, climbing, finding food and building shelter.

Mimi S. - California - Community Outreach Officer - Age 53. Mimi is an endurance athlete, marathon runner and an avid traveler and will do anything to ensure the people around her don't struggle.

Jason D. - West Virginia - Director, Bushcraft School - Age 44. Jason is an Army veteran and president of the North American Bushcraft School, where he teaches primitive survival skills. He can hunt his own food, as well as make his own clothes, bow, arrows and even string.

Tom S. - Hawaii - Executive Director - Age 63. Tom taught himself to live off the land at an early age and values his connection with the landscape and his Hawaiian heritage. He is a skilled carpenter, native navigator and passionate student of his own and other cultures.

Manu T. - California - Special Operations Training - Age 45. At the age of 17, Manu joined the military, serving eight years, four in Combative Deployment Operations. She teaches survival skills to children and adults and is a spiritual person with a deep connection to the earth.

Reza A. - California - Naturalist and Photographer - Age 30. Reza lives a double life, as a survival expert and as a high-society editorial photographer, but survival skills are his true passion.

Dan B. - California - Primitive Survival Specialist - Age 36. Dan has 10 years of experience as a professional backcountry survival expert and currently runs the California Survival School.

Jens R. - New York, New York - Outdoor Educator - Age 44. Jens teaches canoeing and survival skills on the East River in New York City. He relishes challenges and considers himself a strategist.

Duke E. - Wyoming - Former Rodeo Rider - Age 36. Duke lives in what is considered the most remote town in the U.S. He lives off the land, foraging fruits and berries, hunting and fishing.

Sarah P. - South Carolina - Equestrian Manager - Age 30. Sarah loves living in the wild and is always on the lookout for new adventures, places to go and ways to challenge herself.

Jesse H. - Georgia - Student/Veteran - Age 28. Now a student, Jesse served four years as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army. His tough training means he's able to cope with almost anything thrown at him, and he always does it with a smile on his face.

Andrew B. -Oregon - Driver - Age 28. From the ages of 4 to 11, Andrew lived in a small West African village in Senegal and grew up with African tribespeople. He has dreamt of returning to Africa and knows he can make it across the Serengeti.

Christanne M. - Missouri - Student - Age 19. Along with favorite pastimes including shooting and knife throwing, Christanne is also an enthusiastic athlete. She has the basic survival skills to find food, water and shelter, and isn't afraid of tackling new situations.

Joshua R. - Washington - Sales Associate - Age 20. Joshua entered basic training with the U.S. Army but failed to pass the initial training; ever since, he has looked for an opportunity to prove himself.

Reggie S. - Pennsylvania - Extreme Sports Instructor - Age 51. Having lost his legs at a young age, Reggie is determined not to let his disability get in the way of his success. He has basic outdoor survival skills, is extremely fit and healthy and is excited to take on a new challenge and expand his horizons.

Robin A. - New York - Fitness Instructor and Coach - Age 33. A trained lawyer, Robin decided to leave the profession after seven years to follow her passion for fitness and coaching. She is not afraid to say what she thinks and test her limits.

Amy R. - California - Zoologist - Age 29. Amy has been hugely passionate about wildlife and conservation from a young age. She's tough, incredibly competitive and not afraid to get dirty.

Keith E. - Pennsylvania - Dairy Farmer - Age 44. With an active and challenging job, Keith is physically strong and durable, and is looking for an opportunity to test his mettle.

Jesse K. - Colorado - Former S.E.R.E. Specialist - Age 42. Jesse trained in the U.S. Air Force, specializing in Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training, and now works as a wilderness therapy guide. She spends her spare time building herself an off-grid home.

David G. - Rhode Island - English Teacher and Entomophagist - Age 49. David describes himself as passionate and articulate, but perhaps a little eccentric. He is a substitute teacher and also an entomophagist: he studies and eats insects.

Mygrations is produced by October Films for National Geographic Channels. For October Films, executive producers are Jos Cushing, Matt Robins, Chris Muckle and Doug McCallie. For National Geographic Channels, Matt Renner is vice president of production and Tim Pastore is global president of original programming and production.