Gelderland province has given permission to use paintballs to deter a wolf in the Veluwe national park that has lost its natural fear of humans.

The permit is the latest step in a long-running stand-off between provincial authorities and conservationists, who argue that the real problem is with tourists using food to lure the wolves close enough to be photographed.

The permit, which is valid for 18 months, allows paintballs to be used to scare the wolf away, but only by trained professionals who have a connection with the area and can be on the scene quickly.

The aim is to restore the wolf’s fear of people by firing the pellets when humans are in the vicinity. The paintballs will be colourless so that the stain does not cause the wolf to be rejected by its pack.

Earlier attempts to use paintball guns against wolves in the national park foundered when conservation organisation Faunabescherming challenged the province’s reasoning in court.

Judges agreed that the province had not made a strong enough case for using paintballs at the wolves, but later allowed the permit after the regional government commissioned a study by a wolf behaviour expert.

Faunabescherming has said it will take the province to court again, arguing that EU rules forbid wolves being disturbed in their habitat. It is also seeking a ruling from the Council of State, the Netherlands’ highest administrative court.