NATION : Action Asked for African Elephant

WASHINGTON — Conservation groups asked the Bush Administration today to declare the African elephant an endangered species, saying the giant animals could face extinction because of ivory poaching.

The Asian elephant is already classed as an endangered species under U.S. law. The African species now is considered only as threatened. Upgrading its status would in effect cut off U.S. imports of ivory, said Craig Van Note, who heads Monitor, an association of 32 groups. “We think the President will be personally interested; he’s an outdoorsman,” Van Note said. “We know Secretary of State (James A.) Baker has taken a personal interest.”