Background The Hungarian meadow viper (Vipera ursinii rakosiensis) is amongst the rarest subspecies of snake in the world and is the most endangered reptile in Europe. The snake, which is yellow with a distinct black zigzag pattern on its back, was once common throughout the Carpathian Basin, where its natural habitat, the steppe, dominated the landscape. The snake disappeared from Austria in the 1970s and was thought to be extinct in Romania where the last known population, in the Fanatele Clujului Natural Reserve, disappeared more than 40 years ago. However, in 2002, a population of the Hungarian meadow viper was unexpectedly discovered in Transylvania. After preliminary studies, it is estimated that there are about 300-400 specimens in a dense population on a relatively small core area of about 30-40 ha. This constitutes about 50% of the total European population. The only other known populations in Europe to date are in Hungary where two small sites hold a few hundred specimens. Very little is known about the Hungarian meadow viper's requirements and habits. A prerequisite for its survival involves conserving its current habitat and protect the snakes from capture for sale on the black market. Preliminary negotiations had been conducted with 40 landowners for land purchases or lease of relevant areas in order to establish a protected area with core and buffer zones. Objectives The project’s main aim was to protect and enhance the only known Hungarian meadow viper population in Romania. Conservation goals focused on enlarging the snake's existing range by habitat restoration (such as hedge plantation and establishment of a corresponding buffer zone). The project also aimed to produce an inventory and undertake biological monitoring of the Romanian population. An area management plan and action plan for the Romanian population of the Hungarian meadow viper were foreseen and permanent surveillance of the protected area would be carried out by three specially trained rangers. The project sought to obtain land lease and purchase to secure considerate management in the newly proposed protected area and to ensure increased habitat range for the Hungarian meadow viper. In the long term, it was hoped that the project results could lead to establishment of new populations of the Hungarian meadow viper in suitable habitats in the Transylvanian Plain or elsewhere. Results The main project objective has been realised, because the number of recorded individuals increased (over 1600), but other project objectives were not achieved and it is difficult to fully attribute the increase in specimens to the LIFE project actions. The project area remained very remote with extensive management and low persecution pressures by humans. All these conditions are favourable for supporting population growth of the viper. Only 50 Ha of the planned 220 Ha of land was acquired during the project, but possibilities remain to continue this action via new partnership agreements. The project’s land purchase represented the first protected area in Romania to be owned by a NGO (the majority are state public property). Implementation problems limited the project’s ability to undertake the full extent of anticipated activities concerning permanent surveillance, ranger facilities, habitat restoration, and the communication campaign. Environmental education classes were however completed for approximately 200 children in eight schools from six communities. Cooperation and knowledge exchanges with experts from Hungary and elsewhere in Europe increased during the project. This helped the beneficiary to improve its appreciation of viper conservation techniques. The NATURA 2000 site was approved during the project and a proposal to designate a scientific reserve was also submitted. This was only partially approved (by the Romanian Academy) and its endorsement by the Ministry of Environment was not achieved during the project period. Ministry endorsement would ultimately lead to the introduction of special land use obligations in the area. Project actions have also helped to set the foundations for future work by local authorities in Lopadea Noua to take advantage of socio-economic benefits that can be associated with designated area status. These include income diversification opportunities for local businesses from eco-tourism, agri-environment payments, and other sources of support for sustainable rural development. Unexpected results from the inventory process included the discovery of protected EU species (plant, amphibians, and birds) that had previously not been recorded in the vicinity of the NATURA 2000 project area. A new viper population was also recorded outside the project site. GPS monitoring tools proved valuable for mapping viper habitat boundaries and behaviour patterns. The inventory used direct observation and photographic methods (rather than radio tracking using PIT Tags), which reduced stress for the snakes and still provided productive results.