Location: Hainich National Park, Thüringen, Germany www.nationalpark-hainich.de

Objective: save the wildcat which is sensitive to habitat fragmentation by designing a cross-Länder  ecological  network

Problems: compensation measures suggested by the road building company were to scattered and fragmented

Solutions: knowledge about ecology of the target species (other project beforehand) helped the design of the ecological network; local corridor integrated in the country-wide wildcat network; synergies established with other ongoing land based projects

Results: ecological corridor built as a compensation for the building of a highway

Critical factors of success: good functioning informal network of NGOs and authorities as a result of shared (scientific and conservation) interest in the wildcat; good cooperation between NGOs and land consolidation authorities

Key learning points: use of the wildcat as a flagship species; wildcat needs large undisturbed areas but does not have a negative public image; bring actors together and underpin the process with sound ecological knowledge

Actors: BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany) was the driving NGO; road construction company supported compensation measures

Communication: wildcat as a flagship species enabled to communicate ecological connectivity to a wider public

Financing: TMLNU (Ministry of Agriculture, Nature conservation and Environment of Thuringia), DUH (Deutsche Umwelthilfe). DBU (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt), ZGF (Zoologische Gesellschaft Frankfurt)