The Puerto Rican shrew was never directly observed by Europeans. In fact, all 8 species of nesophontes are known only from sub-fossils found on their respective Caribbean islands. Owl pellets collected from Puerto Rico from that time show evidence of nesophontes and European rats. This seems to indicate that the invasive rats led to the extinction of the Puerto Rican shrew soon after their arrival. 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. Scientists could use DNA from the sub-fossils and bones collected in old owl pellets. Many efforts are being made to protect & restore habitat in Puerto Rico. In 2021, the U.S. The Department of Agriculture began to expand the protected forest area by working with local farmers. El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical forest in the U.S. National Forest System. If the Puerto Rican nesophontes was brought back to life, could they ever be reintroduced to its native homelands in Puerto Rico?