PURPOSEThis purpose of this agreement between the Service and TESF is to sustain the current collaborative partnership that exists between the Service and TESF in the implementation of the Service’s Mexican Wolf Recovery Program (MWRP).The objective of this agreement is to have TESF Ladder Ranch contribute

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to the pre-release care and acclimation of Mexican wolves at their Ladder Ranch facility for eventual release into the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area in Arizona and New Mexico, and with the ultimate goal of recovery of this subspecies of the endangered gray wolf in the southwestern United States.IV.

BACKGROUND In December of 1997, TESF entered into a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the Service to construct and maintain a pre-release Mexican wolf facility at Ladder Ranch, a Turner Ranch Property, LP, in southern New Mexico.

As agreed, TESF constructed this facility and have continued to maintain both it and the wolves held there at no cost to the Service.

In 2001, TESF expanded their role in Mexican wolf recovery by providing various members of their staff to work at the direction of the Service under volunteer agreements or under the auspices of the previously mentioned LOA on other aspects of Mexican wolf recovery such as veterinary and field issues.

Also, in 2001, TESF entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Service at the national level to facilitate TESF’s ability to assist the Service in meeting the Service’s mission.

The physical and intellectual infrastructure TESF has developed with respect to Mexican wolf recovery during the past 10 years is of value to the MWRP.

This cooperative agreement is in addition to, and will eventually replace the cooperative agreement signed in 2003, which is due to expire on March 14, 200 9. This cooperative agreement will sustain the important contributions TESF has made under the 2003 agreement, to Mexican wolf recovery.

In doing so, the MWRP will maximize the effectiveness of limited funding available for Mexican wolf recovery, while at the same time implement the mission of the Service.

V.

SCOPETESF will ensure the Ladder Ranch captive Mexican wolf facility is maintained and the wolves held there are cared for according to established Service protocols and/or Mexican wolf captive breeding program protocols.

Additionally, TESF will provide veterinary support to the Service’s MWRP by providing training and pharmaceuticals to program staff, and expert veterinary assistance to the program.

TESF also possesses staff expertise that may be engaged in the MWRP for assistance in various field activities such as wolf monitoring, captures, trapping, tracking, and outreach.The Service, as lead agency for Mexican wolf recovery is currently working with a variety of cooperators to affect wolf recovery.

These cooperators participate in the recovery program in the wild or in the captive propagation program.

TESF is a unique cooperator as they cooperate both in the captive breeding and pre-release holding aspect of the recovery program, and the direct establishment of wolves in the wild.

Significant Federal involvement exists in both of these focus areas.

When TESF personnel assist with field activities they will work under the direction of the Service.

Likewise, with wolves held at their captive facility, the care and maintenance of the wolves occur under the general guidance of the Service either directly or through the Service’s Mexican wolf captive breeding program which is administered by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan.The Service recognizes the contribution and value that TESF brings to Mexican wolf recovery in staff expertise and infrastructure such as wolf pens, vehicles, and radios.

As part of this agreement, TESF will continue to provide a variety of this type of infrastructure at no cost to the Service.

The Service, in turn, and via this Agreement, will provide funding necessary to sustain the important contribution TESF has made, and continues to make, to Mexican wolf recovery.The overall period of performance of this agreement is a period of 5 years beginning on 07/01/2008 and ending on 06/30/201 3.