Ocelot recovery in the U.S. depends on successful conservation actions on private lands. Our case study of the planned ocelot reintroduction on private lands in Texas, combined with review of literature on ESA implementation on private lands, illustrates key factors for enabling private landowner engagement in threatened and endangered species recovery. Over the next 50 years of ESA implementation, these will be important considerations for accelerating species sustainment and recovery efforts on private lands.