"The elephants are absolutely free to roam without human interference, and will be free of tussles with other wild elephants", Manilal Valliyate, PETA India's Director of Veterinary Affairs was quoted saying in an interview to The Hindu.[16] According to a report published in Times of India, US elephant expert Margaret Whittaker came up with the innovative idea after visiting BBP last year. She gave the local mahouts training on 'protected contact' with the jumbos. This leads to safe interaction between human beings and elephants by keeping them separated while at the same time using positive techniques to manage the animals.[17]