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Md. Zoo Officials Optimistic Samson Will Make Full Recovery

BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) -- The Maryland Zoo's youngest elephant continues to recover from a potentially life threatening illness.

Zoo staff members say 5-year-old Samson is making progress after being diagnosed with herpes.

He was spotted Wednesday playing with mulch after getting a bath.

Animal keepers have reduced Samson's medications in recent weeks.

The zoo says they hope to have Samson in the main elephant yard when the weather warms up to give visitors a chance to see him playing with new toys.

Officials began noticing in February that Samson might be sick. Herpes is often lethal in elephants.

Zoo officials remain optimistic that Samson will make a full recovery.

Samson is the only elephant born at the zoo in 137 years.

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