USFWS are revising the rule for the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) promulgated under section 4(d) of the ESA. The purposes are threefold: To increase protection for African elephants in light of the recent rise in international trade of live African elephants by establishing ESA enhancement permit requirements for international trade in live elephants and specific enhancement requirements for the import of wild-sourced elephants, as well as requirements to ensure that all proposed recipients of live African elephants are suitably equipped to house and care for them; to clarify the existing enhancement requirement during our evaluation of an application for a permit to import African elephant sport-hunted trophies; and to incorporate a Party's designation under the CITES National Legislation Project into the decision-making process for the import of live African elephants, African elephant sport-hunted trophies, and African elephant parts and products other than ivory and sport-hunted trophies. Amendments to the section 4(d) regulations in 2016 prohibited the import and export of African elephant ivory with limited exceptions. This rule is effective 1 May 2024. POC is Mary Cogliano, Division of Management Authority; USFWS; 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: IA; Falls Church, VA 22041 (telephone (703) 358-2104).

(Federal Register 1 April 2024 [Rule] Pages 22522-22555)