Wells dug by Maasai at Sinya, some 10 km outside Amboseli National Park to the southwest, are one of causes rendering baby elephants orphans. The wells are just about a couple of feet deep but deep enough to make it impossible for a calf to make it out on its own even with the help of its mother. Compared to the adults with long trunks which can stretch far down to the water with minimum effort, the young calves struggle to their wits' end before slipping and falling into the wells.

On September 14th, 2007 a baby elephant was rescued from one of the many wells when it was found abandoned by its family. It had a sore and bruised back and it was considerably thirsty. The one year old was transferred to orphanage and was named Sinya after the area. This year two more calves have been rescued in the past two months alone. These calves are always in danger of dying from contracting pneumonia, infected open wounds on their soggy feet and bruised back or as a result of stress after loosing their family. Sinya for example, sustained multiple injuries on her trunk when Hyenas chewed on it.

With the drought yet to break, and the wells being a source of water for the Elephants outside the park, these waterpoints are always a hazard waiting to happen. Be as it may, the Daphne Sheldrick Orphanage is always happy to welcome new orphans.

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