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'''Notes''':<br>

'''Notes''':<br>

*(1) Whitt was the director of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] Zoological Park from 1974 until his death in 2008, during which time the zoo grew exponentially.​<br>​

*(1) Whitt was the director of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] Zoological Park from 1974 until his death in 2008, during which time the zoo grew exponentially.​<br>​

* Whitt’s work as a zookeeper was praised by the nationally-known [[zoologist]] and conservationist Jack Hanna<br>

* Whitt’s work as a zookeeper was praised by the nationally-known zoologist and conservationist Jack Hanna<br>

* Whitt was also a [[musician]] who played the organ with B. B. King, the [[African-American]] blues guitarist and [[singer]].<br>

* Whitt was also a [[musician]] who played the organ with B. B. King, the [[African-American]] blues guitarist and [[singer]].<br>

* In 1994, Whitt underwent a [[heart]] transplant at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in [[New Orleans]], where he died fourteen years later of renewed heart problems.​}}

* In 1994, Whitt underwent a [[heart]] transplant at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in [[New Orleans]], where he died fourteen years later of renewed heart problems.​}}

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'''Robert Leslie Whitt''', known as '''Les Whitt''' (August 22, 1951 &ndash; August 16, 2008), was the award-winning director of Alexandria Zoological Park in [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], having served from 1974 until his death from [[heart]] complications only six days prior to what would have been his 57th birthday. Whitt was also a [[musician]] who mastered a Hammond B-3 and played with B. B. King and B. B. Major, whom he had accompanied at the [[New Orleans]] Jazz & Heritage Festival.<ref name=obit>Robert Leslie "Les" Whitt [[obituary]], ''The Alexandria Town Talk,'' August 19, 2008:http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/OBITUARIES/80818026/1023</ref>​

'''Robert Leslie Whitt''', known as '''Les Whitt''' (August 22, 1951 &ndash; August 16, 2008), was the award-winning director of Alexandria Zoological Park in [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], having served from 1974 until his death from [[heart]] complications only six days prior to what would have been his 57th birthday. Whitt was also a [[musician]] who mastered a Hammond B-3 organ and played with B. B. King and B. B. Major, whom he had accompanied at the [[New Orleans]] Jazz & Heritage Festival.<ref name=obit>Robert Leslie "Les" Whitt obituary, ''The Alexandria Town Talk,'' August 19, 2008: http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/OBITUARIES/80818026/1023</ref>​

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==Background==​

==Background==​

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Whitt was born to the late Mr. and Mrs. James V. Whitt, Sr., in Natchez, [[Mississippi]]. In 1994, he received a heart transplant at Ochsner Foundation Hospital founded in New Orleans by the [[physician]] [[Alton Oschner]]. His donor was Lane Bourgeois of Prairieville] in Ascension Parish. Whitt was an advocate of organ donation and frequently spoke on behalf of the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency.<ref name=obit/>​

Whitt was born to the late Mr. and Mrs. James V. Whitt, Sr., in Natchez, [[Mississippi]]. In 1994, he received a heart transplant at Ochsner Foundation Hospital founded in New Orleans by the [[physician]] Alton Oschner (1896-1981). His donor was Lane Bourgeois of Prairieville in Ascension Parish. Whitt was an advocate of organ donation and frequently spoke on behalf of the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency.<ref name=obit/>​

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Whitt was appointed zookeeper by [[Malcolm Hébert]], Alexandria's last elected streets and parks commissioner prior to the establishment in 1977 of the mayor-council government, in which Hebert initially served as the director of public works under [[Mayor]] Carroll Edwin Lanier (1926-2012). The zoo is located adjacent to Bringhurst Park off Masonic Drive and near the Alexandria Mall. It grew exponentially after Whitt's appointment as director and became a large facility for a medium-sized city. In 1993, Whitt received the prestigious Dunbar Award from the Louisiana Civil Service, named in honor of Charles Edward Dunbar, Jr. (1888-1959)<ref name=obit/>​

Whitt was appointed zookeeper by [[Malcolm Hébert]], Alexandria's last elected streets and parks commissioner prior to the establishment in 1977 of the mayor-council government, in which Hebert initially served as the director of public works under [[Mayor]] Carroll Edwin Lanier (1926-2012). The zoo is located adjacent to Bringhurst Park off Masonic Drive and near the Alexandria Mall. It grew exponentially after Whitt's appointment as director and became a large facility for a medium-sized city. In 1993, Whitt received the prestigious Dunbar Award from the Louisiana Civil Service, named in honor of Charles Edward Dunbar, Jr. (1888-1959)<ref name=obit/>​