Scientists try to bring 12-foot tall giant bird back from 600-year extinction
How scientists plan to ‘resurrect’ the extinct South Island giant moa
- Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based company, is attempting to resurrect the extinct South Island giant moa, a 12-foot-tall bird, through genetic engineering.
- The project is backed by Lord of the Rings filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson, who has provided $15 million (£11m) in funding, and includes the New Zealand-based Ngāi Tahu Research Centre.
- Scientists aim to genetically engineer living birds to resemble the moa within five to 10 years, starting by extracting DNA from well-preserved bones.
- This marks Colossal's first attempt to de-extinct a bird, presenting unique challenges compared to their previous work with designer grey wolves.
- The initiative faces controversy from some scientists who question the feasibility of reintroducing extinct species and worry it may divert focus from protecting existing wildlife.