I know, I read that. Why are you repeating it? Was something I wrote unclear?
As per my understanding, what he is trying to say is, even if people gets ready to keep them as pets, very few might be able to survive in outer world.
Unless they become an invasive species somewhere else. Though if rats like to eat them, that bodes ill for them.
Wasn't the point that they died from malnutrition? That's what I gathered from the second female almost dying, until it was fed a mixture rich in calcium.