Background The 'Iron Gates' Natural Park is located in the south-western part of Romania on the Yugoslavian border, on the left bank of the Danube river. This protected area hosts species and natural habitats of great importance at the European level and it is considered an Important Bird Area. The most interesting species present are wetland birds such as Egretta garzetta, Phalacrocorax pygmaeus or Ardea purpurea. Other important species directly targeted by the project include the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) and two reptiles, Vipera ammodites and Testudo hermanni. 196 different habitat types have been described on the site, of which 17 are endemic to this area. The main threats to the area are the habitat degradation and the species decline caused by the illegal and irrational exploitation of the natural resources and the lack of a management plan or specific conservation programmes for the area. Objectives The project aimed at recovering the habitats of species of special interest within the Natural Park, particularly Testudo hermani, Vipera ammodites, Phalacrocorax pygmeus and Falco naumanni. To attain this objective, it was foreseen to raise the population of Testudo hermanni by reintroducing individuals bred in captivity. Likewise, the first bird census in the area was to be carried out to improve knowledge on the species present and to set up the base for their future protection. In addition, it was planned to develop a suitable management plan for the area, a guide which would help in the implementation of all necessary conservation measures for the habitats present on site. Moreover, an important awareness raising campaign was to be launched and the project was to involve the main local actors and management stakeholders in the natural area. The creation of an Information and Documentation Centre and the promotion of the management structure for the park were also planned. Results The project was successful and the general objective was reached. Indeed, even if the direct project effects on habitats and species status within the Park cannot be quantified after only 3 years, significant impacts on a long term basis can be expected with the implementation of the management plan. More important, the project has enabled the capacity building of the Natural Park, which was virtually non existing before. It is now endowed with status, official bodies, a management plan, 4 Documentation & Information centres with qualified staffs and brochures to be distributed, offices fully furnished and equipped, a pool of 17 persons originating from the park and trained to become rangers and numerous panels placed in the main strategic spots. Thus, the conservation, management and restoration work regarding the Park vulnerable habitats and fauna can be undertaken. Moreover, the project led to an improvement of the legal protection of the most important area of the park. An additional Nature Reserve was designated as well as 6 Special Conservation Area (both for Testudo hermanni and Vipera ammodytes) and 2 Special Conservation Bird Area. This was possible thanks to the inventories carried out by the project. The intense scientific work has indeed permitted to identify areas and localise new populations of Testudo hermani and Vipera ammodites whom habitats were partly unknown before the project. The reintroduction of Testudo hermani was carried out as foreseen. Great successes were obtained regarding the number of young produced. The protocol is now mastered and the University will continue to run the captive breeding centre. 302 youngs were reintroduced (the initial objective was 250) in 5 sites identified as suitable for the species. However, it is difficult to fully assess action results after only 3 years of reintroduction. Yet it was successful for the knowledge improvement of the species and it has raised awareness of the local population on this species. Deliberated killing of turtles seems to have disappeared and illegal trade have decreased. The project has also considerably improved the knowledge on Vipera ammodytes, with proposals to take appropriate measures through a management plan. The main threats are the intentional destruction of the Viper by the local population and its removal by illegal breeders. Recommendations have been made in the management plan (such as wardening the main species habitat to avoid destruction), the frontier police was trained (in parallel to the Life project) and an awareness campaign for the local population was carried out (more than 15.000 visitors in the Information & Documentation centre!). The issue is to convince local people that the Viper is not dangerous if you leave it in alone. Regarding birds, the first inventory was carried out. It showed that the Park is an important wintering place. This study has also permitted to identify most interesting bird areas, and following the project, 3 sites were designated as Important Bird Area. More generally, the intensive awareness campaign has enabled to promote the natural value of the area but also the idea of a "Natural Park", a entirely new concept in this region, if not in the country itself. It should help local population (especially main stakeholders, such as municipalities) getting involved into sustainable development project integrating environmental, social and economical aspects.