Final answer:
The more sustainable approach to protecting elephants from poachers in African countries is by involving local communities in conservation efforts through eco-tourism, which aligns economic incentives with wildlife protection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question explores different methods of elephant conservation to protect them from poaching in African countries. Two contrasting approaches are discussed: the first is the establishment of large, inaccessible national parks, and the second integrates the local community by setting up tourist villages around the park to facilitate eco-tourism. The latter approach incentivizes locals by making them stakeholders in the conservation process, potentially aligning their economic interests with the preservation of elephants. This method seems more likely to help the elephant population since it provides an economic benefit to the local community and gives them a vested interest in the survival and well-being of the elephants. In contrast, complete exclusion of the locals from the parks may lead to animosity and illegal activities such as poaching.
In terms of managing elephant populations, the Campfire program is mentioned as an initiative that designates control of elephant herds to local communities and allows for regulated hunting, with the proceeds from hunting licenses being used for community benefits. This approach has shown success in population growth and reduced poaching. However, ethical considerations and the potential for a resumption of the ivory trade pose challenges to this model.
Overall, the engagement and empowerment of local communities appear to be a more sustainable and ethical approach to wildlife conservation, particularly when it comes to managing elephant populations in harmony with human interests.