In 1955, the Zoo received a marvelous Christmas gift: a baby girl orangutan, born to mother Batavia and father Ahkup on December 25. It seemed only fitting to name her Noell. First-time mother Batavia didn't know how to take care of the little one, however, so Noell was taken to the Zoo's nursery to be hand raised. She actually had another home away from home, as well: when the nursery caregiver came down with the flu, Noell spent some time at the home of Zoo director Dr. Charlie Schroeder, under the watchful care of Charlie's wife, Margaret. Like her tiny house guest, Margaret also had red hair, and Charlie had a favorite story to tell about their primate babysitting days. One day when Noell was at the house, the mailman, who was friendly with the Schroeders, came by with their mail and stopped to chat. He glanced at the crib in the room, and his eyes widened when he saw Noell. He turned to Charlie, and said rather dryly, "Is this one of yours?"