The white-footed rabbit-rat was a common rodent found from Adelaide to Sydney. In fact there are reports that it was a problem in getting into stores in 1788. No one knows exactly what caused the steep decline in their population. There were many factors such as the ending of Aboriginal fire-stick farming, which was controlled burning that kept forests in check . Some scientists believe diseases spread by invasive rodents could have been the catalyst in the population decline. The white-footed rabbit-rat also had to compete against invasive species like the "gray blanket" aka the escalated rabbit population. The introduction of the red fox in the 1870's for recreational hunting and feral cats also took their toll on this kitten-sized rodent. The last white-footed rabbit-rat specimen was collected in 1845. John Cotton said the white-foot rabbit-rats were common in Victoria in 1846. The population took a steep decline and was last reported in Victoria between 1860-1862. There were even reports of sightings as recently as the 1930’s, but those reports were never confirmed. Could the white-footed rabbit-rat mouse live in Australia today? 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 white-footed rabbit-rat could be a good candidate. Scientists would use the DNA found in museum specimens. Australia has made many strides in restoring natural habitats, eliminating invasive species, and helping struggling species recover since the extinction of the white-footed rabbit-rat in 1857. Scientists have been working to keep the brush-tailed rabbit-rat population intact. They could use their knowledge from those conservation efforts to help protect the white-footed rabbit-rat. If the white-footed rabbit-rat was brought to life, could it ever be reintroduced to its native homeland in Australia?