Changes

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/>

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/>

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 Dunbar|Charles Edward Dunbar, Jr.]]<ref name=obit/>​

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.</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.</ref>​