The Jamaican giant galliwasp was a large skink-like creature endemic to the island of Jamaica. Many islands in the Caribbean have their own unique walliwasp species. Although the Jamaican giant galliwasp is technically listed as "critically endangered" it has not been seen since the mid-1800's which means it has most likely gone the way of the dodo. No one knows exactly what caused the extinction of this giant galliwasp, but it is thought that the clearing of its habitat for houses and farming was a likely culprit. The introduction of mongooses, as well as other non-native species also seems to have doomed this creature. Although Jurassic Park is fiction, scientists are working on several de-extinction projects. In fact, in 2003 scientists did bring back the extinct Pyrenean ibex, a type of wild goat, for 7 minutes before it died, showing de-extinction is possible. The Jamaican giant galliwasp might be a candidate. Scientists would potentially use DNA from specimens like that located in the Natural History Museum of Marseille, in France. France sent this specimen to the National Museum in London (pictured below). Galliwasps have been difficult to breed in captivity, but much has been learned at zoos like the Nashville Zoo which has had great success breeding the Haitian giant galliwasp in recent years. If the Jamaican giant galliwasp was brought back from extinction could it survive in Jamaica today? Groups like The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have worked for 30 years to protect the forests of the Blue and John Crow Mountains, resulting in Jamaica’s first national park, and the Montego Bay Marine Park (which was mentioned in the Caribbean monk seal post). Though there is much to do to restore the Jamaican environment, there have been many steps forward there to protect its 900+ native species as well as supporting the Jamaican people. If that balance is maintained, maybe one day the Jamaican giant galliwasp could make a return to its Jamaican home.