The giant moa, the tallest known bird, was a flightless herbivore in New Zealand until humans caused its extinction. Colossal Biosciences plans to resurrect it within five to ten years with funding from Sir Peter Jackson. This will involve harvesting DNA from fossils and editing the genes of its closest living relatives, such as the emu. The scheme includes hatching genetically modified birds and releasing them into controlled rewilding areas. Although there is public excitement about this initiative, skepticism from experts about its feasibility exists.
Standing more than three metres high, the giant moa is the tallest bird known to have walked on Earth and was a wingless herbivore that roamed New Zealand until human arrival.
Colossal Biosciences aims to resurrect the giant moa within five to ten years by harvesting DNA from fossils and editing the genes of its nearest living relatives, like the emu.
The project, supported by $15 million from Sir Peter Jackson, hopes to hatch genetically modified birds and release them into enclosed rewilding sites.
Many experts remain sceptical about the feasibility of de-extincting the moa, which vanished shortly after Polynesian settlers arrived in New Zealand about 600 years ago.
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