The complainant, an environmental non-governmental organisation, raised concerns with the European Commission regarding how it carried out what it refers to as 'targeted data collection' on the impact of the wolf population in the EU. In particular, the complainant raised concerns with how the Commission complied with its rules regarding public and stakeholder consultation.

The Ombudsman opened an inquiry and asked the Commission to reply to certain questions. In the course of the inquiry, the matter became the subject of court proceedings, which meant that the Ombudsman could no longer continue the inquiry.