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'''Robert Leslie Whitt''', known as '''Les Whitt''' (August 22, 1951 – 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>
'''Robert Leslie Whitt''', known as '''Les Whitt''' (August 22, 1951 – 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>
==Background==
==Background==
At the age of sixteen, Whitt joined the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. Over the years, he served the organization in various capacities, such as that as the leader of the accreditation team. He was recognized for his innovative zoo exhibits and designs. He represented the Alexandria zoo in worldwide conservation efforts to preserve endangered species. David Lind, past president of the civic group Friends of the Alexandria Zoo, said that Whitt was more than a zookeeper: "He really was the [[Polymath|Renaissance man]]." He was a [[mentor]] to young zoo professionals, teen volunteers, the [[Boy Scouts]], and other musicians.<ref name=adtt>"Alexandria Zoo Director Les Whitt dies," ''Alexandria Town Talk'', August 17, 2008, p. 1: http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080817/NEWS01/808170301&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL"</ref>
At the age of sixteen, Whitt joined the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. Over the years, he served the organization in various capacities, such as that as the leader of the accreditation team. He was recognized for his innovative zoo exhibits and designs. He represented the Alexandria zoo in worldwide conservation efforts to preserve endangered species. David Lind, past president of the civic group Friends of the Alexandria Zoo, said that Whitt was more than a zookeeper: "He really was the [[Polymath|Renaissance man]]." He was a [[mentor]] to young zoo professionals, teen volunteers, the [[Boy Scouts]], and other musicians.<ref name=adtt>"Alexandria Zoo Director Les Whitt dies," ''Alexandria Town Talk'', August 17, 2008, p. 1: http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080817/NEWS01/808170301&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL"</ref>
==Career==
==Career==
Hanna said that Whitt could have accepted employment at larger, more prestigious zoos than Alexandria Zoological Park: "He could have run any zoo in the country ... but he loved that town. He loved the people there.. . . . People like that just don't exist any more. You don't replace a Leslie Whitt."<ref name=adtt/>
Hanna said that Whitt could have accepted employment at larger, more prestigious zoos than Alexandria Zoological Park: "He could have run any zoo in the country ... but he loved that town. He loved the people there.. . . . People like that just don't exist any more. You don't replace a Leslie Whitt."<ref name=adtt/>
Former Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy, who was four years old when Whitt accepted the zookeeper's position, issued a statement of condolences for those mourning the "loss of a true son of Alexandria. Les was given a second chance at life heart transplant, an opportunity he made the most of, crafting a sustainable legacy that will live as long as Alexandria does.”<ref name=adtt/>
Former Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy, who was four years old when Whitt accepted the zookeeper's position, issued a statement of condolences for those mourning the "loss of a true son of Alexandria. Les was given a second chance at life heart transplant, an opportunity he made the most of, crafting a sustainable legacy that will live as long as Alexandria does.”<ref name=adtt/>
==Death and legacy==
==Death and legacy==