Don’t know where you got 1972. My research show much later dates.
The Marine Mammal Act was '72 impacting Walrus, whale, Polar bear, etc.
Elephant appears to range all over the place.
The dates seem dependent on personal vs commercial use, intra vs interstate, import vs export, etc.
Hence the reason no one seems to know whats legal even in states that don't outlaw it!
Here is an excerpt from USFWS regarding Antique exemptions-
The sale of African elephant ivory items across state lines (interstate commerce) is prohibited, except
for items that qualify as ESA antiques and certain manufactured or handcrafted items that contain a
small (de minimis) amount of ivory and meet specific criteria.
Interstate commerce is always prohibited for the following:
sport-hunted trophies
items imported under the exception for a household move or inheritance
items imported as law enforcement or scientific specimens
To qualify for the ESA antiques exemption, an item must meet all of the following criteria [seller/importer/exporter
must demonstrate]:
A: It is 100 years or older.
B: It is composed in whole or in part of an ESA-listed species;
C: It has not been repaired or modified with any such species after December 27, 1973; and
D: It is being or was imported through an endangered species “antique port.”
Under Director’s Order No. 210, as a matter of enforcement discretion, items imported prior to September 22,
1982, and items created in the United States and never imported must comply with elements A, B, and C
above, but not element D.
)
