I don't think you have given enough information for us to help, you
suggest some code

 xmlns:f="ANIMALS"
exclude-result-prefixes="f">

	<xsl:template match="f:???????">

But don't show any input in this namespace, presumably this is intended
to match your main input file? but you only show your "separate XML
file:" which has elements in no-namespace.

Post a small example of _both_ your input documents, and the result that
you want to generate.

Your subject mentions recursion but it isn't clear if you have any
nested structure on which you could recurse (at least you haven't shown
any)

David

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