Dozens of fines have been handed out to “wolf tourists” since forest rangers zoned off an area of the Hoge Veluwe national park where wolves feed their cubs.

Nature conservation authority Natuurmonumenten put up signs at the end of September telling visitors not to use a footpath close to the spot where the local wolf pack gathers and to keep out of the area.

The fine for ignoring the restrictions is around €110. It is not known exactly how many tickets have been issued, but Natuurmonumenten said the number was in double figures.

Conservationists say tourists have been travelling to the area to photograph the wolves with their cubs, using food to lure them closer to the path, which interferes with their natural fear of humans.

“It’s exactly what you don’t want,” a spokesman told RTL Nieuws. “Wolves shouldn’t be associating humans with food: they should be wary. We know from experience that wolves that have frequent contact with people can develop unwanted behaviour.”

The wolves use the meeting place to bring food to their cubs while they still have their milk teeth. Once their adult teeth develop at around the age of eight months, they are no longer dependent on older wolves and can go out hunting.