The Wake Island rail lived on Wake Island which lies halfway between North America & Asia. It is one of three small islands, Wake, Peale, & Wilkes. The rail could be found on Wake Island & Peale, but not Wilkes. Wake Island is only 20 feet above sea level and two miles long. Like many island birds, the Wake Island rail lost its ability to fly because there were no predators in its environment. These rails adapted to the small island and were reported to hunt hermit crabs along the shore and were quite successful on the small island cluster for a long time. As WWII took shape, the United States sent servicemen to build an airstrip on Wake Island. The officers enjoyed interacting with the rails on the islands. Most of the pictures we have of the Wake Island rails are from these soldiers. The soldiers would make large puddles and dozens of rails would come and "enjoy themselves hugely" according to Serviceman William Stephen Grooch. It does not appear that invasive species like rats affected the Wake Island rail. As WWII progressed the Japanese took control of Wake Island in 1941. These Japanese soldiers became stranded on Wake Island without supplies, so ate whatever they could. Even though the Wake Island rails could run quickly, they were no match for a group of hungry soldiers on such a small island. When the U.S. retook Wake Island in 1945, no more Wake Island rails could be found. They became a casualty of war. 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 Wake Island rail might be a good candidate. Scientists would potentially use DNA from museum specimens to bring back this rail. If it was brought back from extinction, would it be able to survive on its tiny 2 mile long home of Wake Island? With other rail species like the Guam rail and New Zealand takahe being saved from extinction, they just might be able to reestablish a rail colony on Wake Island.