I was surprised by the ideas that illegal ivory trade is not an issue in the US and that elephants are not considered endangered. I can't find anything to support either idea.

re the conservation status of African elephants:
"African elephant species now Endangered and Critically Endangered - IUCN Red List "

and re: America's role in the illegal international ivory trade:
USFWS Article Regarding US Ivory Trade

Traffic.org article about US illegal ivory trade


As far as I can tell African elephants certainly are endangered and the United States certainly is a part of the international ivory trade that makes poaching a persistent problem.

Jim