Final answer:
The second approach of creating national parks and integrating local communities by designating villages as tourist centers is more likely to aid elephant population growth due to the economic benefits and sense of ownership it fosters.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the best approach to protect elephants from poachers in African countries, it is critical to assess the different incentives for local villagers, particularly those who are impoverished, in each conservation plan. The first approach, creating large national parks with strict bans on local human activity, may provide a safe habitat for elephants but can alienate local communities, potentially fueling illegal activities like poaching if locals feel disenfranchised or in need of resources. On the other hand, involving local communities in conservation efforts, such as the second approach which designates villages at the edges of the parks as tourist centers, not only provides economic incentives to protect wildlife through tourism but also promotes a collaborative relationship between conservation efforts and local livelihoods. This inclusive strategy may lead to a more sustainable and successful conservation outcome and help to grow the elephant population.