Connections, we hear, for wild cat (4)
I believe the answer is:
lynx
'wild cat' is the definition.
(wild cat species)
'connections we hear' is the wordplay.
'connections' becomes 'links' ('link' can be a synonym of 'connection').
'we hear' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'links' is a homophone of 'LYNX'.
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for lynx that I've seen before include "Wild cat; sounds like chain" , "European wild cat" , "Wild cat noted for keen sight" , "Member of the cat family" , "one with exceptionally good sight" .)