Peter Jackson Wants to Bring This 400-Pound Flightless Bird Back From Extinction

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Colossal Biosciences, previously under scrutiny for its claim of resurrecting dire wolves (which drew criticism as exaggerated), has now joined forces with filmmaker Peter Jackson in embarking on a fresh endeavor involving the restoration of animal species.

The organization revealed on Tuesday that they are partnering with Jackson and the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre in an effort to resurrect the moa, a group of flightless birds native to New Zealand that became extinct approximately 600 years ago. These unique creatures consisted of nine different species, including the South Island Giant Moa, which weighed around 400 pounds and stood as tall as 12 feet when its neck was extended – potentially making it the tallest bird ever known to have existed.

Jackson expresses his aspiration that someday we might successfully reintroduce all nine types of moa, allowing us to observe and study them closely. He explains that the team aims to tackle the resurrection of the South Island Giant Moa initially, a species that became extinct approximately 150 years following the arrival of Polynesians in New Zealand.

Growing up in New Zealand means being familiar with the moa from an early age, as it’s deeply ingrained in our culture,” Jackson explained, who, together with his partner Fran Walsh, recently poured $10 million into Colossal Biosciences.

For quite some time now, Jackson and Walsh have harbored a deep interest in the moa. Over the years, they’ve amassed hundreds of bones from this extinct bird. “We’ve gathered close to 400 moa bones,” Jackson notes, expressing their hope that Colossal would include the moa among the species they aim to revive from extinction. Previously, Colossal has publicly discussed bringing back the Tasmanian tiger, the woolly mammoth, and the dodo.

During our initial Zoom meeting with Colossal a few years back, the moa wasn’t featured on their website. We asked them if they were interested in the moa, to which Ben Lamm replied affirmatively. As a condition of our investment, we stipulated that all funds would be allocated for the moa project. Furthermore, Jackson and Walsh agreed to allow Colossal access to their collection of moa bones for research purposes. This not only enabled us to invest in Colossal, but also contributed our moa bones to the endeavor. The moa’s DNA has since been sampled, a development we found very exciting.” Jackson, who is working on Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, set for release in 2027, added this information.

As a passionate admirer of nature’s wonders, I find myself captivated by the groundbreaking work being done at Colossal Biosciences. Instead of cloning extinct animals directly, they employ a unique approach that involves mapping the genome using surviving tissue and bones from the extinct species and innovative genetic engineering techniques. This process doesn’t result in direct clones but rather living creatures genetically edited to closely resemble their extinct counterparts. For instance, their much-anticipated dire wolves are not exact replicas of the original species, but rather, they were produced by creating a comprehensive genetic map of the extinct dire wolf and making 20 strategic genetic edits to the DNA of a close relative, the grey wolf. These modifications aim to highlight specific characteristics unique to dire wolves.

However, it’s important to note that some scientists have expressed concerns over Colossal’s claims about their dire wolves, describing them as potentially misleading. While these creatures share many traits with the extinct dire wolves, they are not a complete resurrection of the species from extinction.

To bring back the extinct moa, a bird once featured in a 1973 DC Action Comics battling Superman, Colossal Biosciences plans to collaborate with the genetic makeup of the tinamou bird, a close relative native to the Americas. The company has already initiated the creation of reference genomes for both the tinamou and the emu, Australia’s large flightless bird species. As Lamm explains, “We started on this project in October, and over the next year, our focus will be on sequencing bones, collecting more moa samples, and conducting research to determine the necessary genetic edits.

The Moa Project is a collaboration between the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, Colossal, and Jackson. Established in 2011 to aid the Ngāi Tahu, the main Māori tribe of southern New Zealand, the research center will spearhead the moa-related work. Unlike their work with other animals, as Lamm explains, they are adopting a unique approach by acting more like a supporting role for the Māori. Colossal views this partnership as marking a new age of indigenous leadership in scientific advancements.

Kyle Davis, an archaeologist from Ngāi Tahu, who collaborates with Colossal and Jackson, discusses the relevance of the extinct bird in Māori traditions. “This creature is integral to our ancient stories,” Davis says. “It’s symbolic and holds immense value as a taonga, a revered relic from the past for us.” He further notes, “Peter [Jackson] creates worlds through cinema, while Colossal preserves and restores them. Their agreement to join our indigenous restoration project, which includes de-extinction, is an immense honor and privilege for us.

Should the partnership prove successful, the birds might find themselves residing in an ecological sanctuary within New Zealand. However, it’s essential to clarify that our intention isn’t to release these giant moa back into their natural habitat immediately. Present-day New Zealand is vastly different from its state 600 years ago; we have roads, cars, cities, and a significantly larger population. Therefore, it might not be wise to set them free without proper preparation. Such a move could occur in the distant future, only after extensive research and careful thought.

Lamm notes, “Regarding the essence of our collaboration, it’s ultimately Ngāi Tahu’s decision. Their wishes are paramount. We consider ourselves as champions of their vision.

Lamm describes the Moa Project as a “redeeming tale,” aiming to spark curiosity about ecology and biodiversity, and stimulate eco-tourism in New Zealand. Alongside this initiative, Colossal Biosciences plans to allocate resources for the conservation of endangered or scarce species within New Zealand as well. Lamm emphasizes that preserving and safeguarding these species, under the guidance of the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, is essential for the success of the project.

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2025-07-08 20:25