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Remembering Noel
Noel 1995-2010
In 1997 a two year old giraffe arrived at the Houston Zoo. She had been born in the month of December at the San Diego Zoo and the keepers there named her Noel in recognition of the upcoming holiday season.
Noel always walked to the beat of her own drummer. Her keepers thought of her as their ‘special’ giraffe. And she was. She was very special. Her keepers knew her personality as eccentric but mellow, laid back and very gentle.
Giraffes are a popular destination for the Houston Zoo’s behind the scenes tours and Noel was a favorite of the tour groups. She was always there to take a leaf of romaine lettuce from your hand or nibble on a slice of sweet potato or carrot. When she wasn’t wowing the tour groups that visited the giraffe exhibit, Noel enjoyed her creature comforts – the bamboo and other browse that the keepers placed around the exhibit for snack time and the warmth of the giraffe barn in the winter.
Noel passed away on July 12 during labor that also resulted in the loss of her calf. Her legacy will live on in the memories of everyone at the Houston Zoo who loved her and cared for her for many years and who are lovingly caring for her calves, Neema, born in August 2007 and Miles, born in January 2009 who remain an integral part of the Houston Zoo’s giraffe family.
Noel with baby Neema
and with little Miles
Comments for Remembering Noel:
Total Comments: 22
im realy sorry about noel he was so pretty.
This is so sad to hear.Rest in Peace Noel...
This broke my and my husband's heart. We love the giraffes. Our heartfelt sympathies to Noel's keepers and other mourning zoo staff for your loss.
This broke our families heart. Thank you to the Houston Zoo for all your unconditional love to Noel and the rest of the animals in the park. We appriciate you all so much. God Bless. :(
rest in peace sweet Noel, say hello to Mac
sad everytime i went i saw her its so sad that she wont be there anymore
So sorry, just went to the zoo the day before, heartbroken over the lost of Noel.
My heart goes out to all the keepers and our veterinarians and everyone at the zoo. Noel was a special, beautiful, sweet giraffe. I will miss seeing her at the zoo.
To all the keepers, I am so sorry for the loss of Noel. While working with Camp Zoofari I had the chance to feed the giraffes and they are truly amazing and gentle creatures. Noel was indeed special. She will be greatly missed. Godspeed Noel and may you forever dwell in lush savannahs and also in our hearts.
I was heart broken to log on the the Zoo's website and see the news of NOEL..the Giraffe's have always been my favorite part of the Zoo, and when it came to photos..I think I took more of the Giraffes then I did of my own kids!...My heart goes out to the caretakers who knew best and loved her the most...God Bless All of You!.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of those who loved and cared for this beautiful animal and her calf at this time of grief. I know she was a part of your family and I hope that you find comfort in knowing she was special to all of us.
My Sweet Noel I Will Miss You. Always enjoyed going by and saying hello too you.. Will miss you dearly
My daughter Heather and I have been zoo members for years. The one thing Heather always wants to do is visit the giraffes. We must have hundreds of pictures of just the giraffes at the zoo. Noel will be truly missed. My heart goes out to all her keepers and her legacy left behind.
I became a member when my husband was working in Houston for a year, I truely enjoyed going to the Zoo. I couldn't wait to run right over to visit the babies, My heart hurts from the loss of Noel. I'm soooo sorry for all the children who have visited Noel and people who visit the zoo to includ myself. We will always miss her! I will never forget you Noel and the staff will take good care of your baby Neema. I pray for health for the furtue babies borm. The Hutchings Family
I am saddened to hear of Noel's death. I enjoyed working with her very much, especially with her behavior training. She WAS my special giraffe. :(
This is just so sad. My heart goes out to the Giraffe family, as well as the Keepers!
I am deflated and crushed. They are such gentle creatures and what should have been a joyous occasion turned tragic. My condolences to all the Houston Zoo staff.
We are extremely sorry to hear of Noel's loss as well as the calf. Hope Neema and Miles will do okay without her presence, and grow up just as special as their mom! God Bless
I am so sad at the news of Noel's death and that of her calf. All animals are so special. The zoo animals always hold a special place in my heart. Condolences to the Zoo Staff. Thanks for your loving care and commitment to these sweet animals!
We are just heartsick over the loss of Noel and her calf. The giraffes are always a favorite stop at the Houston Zoo. Our condolences to all the Zoo staff who work so hard to keep the Houston Zoo one of the best in the country.
Thank you to the Houston Zoo for this special tribute for Noel and her calf. Our condolences to your knowledgeable and caring team for their heartfelt loss of their beloved Noel and her calf. Thankfully Noel's gentle spirit will live on through Neema and sweet Miles.
Since the moment I saw this story on ABC I am heartbroken over the loss of Noel. I LOVE animals and I think that dying giving birth is an awful thing. So I sent my prayers for Noel, her baby that's in heaven with her, her babies left behind and her keepers. Gob Bless what you guys do EVERYDAY!!