Colossal Biosciences Announces Plan to De‑Extinct Giant Moa Bird
In a bold and controversial move, Colossal Biosciences has announced its latest de-extinction project: bringing back the giant South Island moa, a flightless bird that once towered up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) tall and weighed over 500 pounds. The moa, which went extinct around 600 years ago after the arrival of Polynesian settlers in New Zealand, is the latest species targeted by Colossal in its mission to reverse extinction using cutting-edge gene-editing technologies.
The project, revealed in July 2025, aims to recreate a living approximation of the moa using ancient DNA, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and modern avian biology. The company has already made headlines for its work on de-extincting species like the woolly mammoth, the Tasmanian tiger, and the dodo. The moa effort will focus on reconstructing the extinct bird’s genome from well-preserved fossil samples and comparing it with that of its closest living relatives, such as the emu and the tinamou.
Colossal’s efforts are supported by a surprising backer: filmmaker Peter Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and a longtime enthusiast of New Zealand’s prehistoric wildlife. Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh have invested $15 million in the project and donated a large private collection of moa bones to assist with genetic research. Jackson, who has called the moa his “obsession,” said he was motivated by a childhood fascination with the bird and a desire to contribute to both science and conservation.
The project is being conducted in partnership with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, an Indigenous Māori organization in New Zealand. The center will help ensure that Māori perspectives are honored throughout the scientific process, particularly as the moa holds cultural and historical significance. Ngāi Tahu leaders have emphasized that the reintroduction of the moa must be done responsibly, with a strong focus on ecology, ethics, and Indigenous knowledge.
Colossal’s scientists hope to begin by editing moa DNA into the germ cells of emu or tinamou embryos, eventually producing birds that closely resemble the extinct moa. Unlike mammals, birds are incubated in eggs, which presents unique biological challenges. The company estimates it could take up to 10 years before a live moa chick is successfully hatched.
While the project has generated excitement, it also raises serious ethical and ecological questions. Critics argue that resurrecting extinct species could divert attention and resources from protecting endangered animals and restoring habitats. Others warn that releasing such large animals into modern ecosystems could have unpredictable consequences, especially in a changed environment where many original predators and food sources no longer exist.
Still, proponents say the project could yield valuable insights into conservation biology, including strategies to save species on the brink of extinction. Colossal believes that de-extinction is not just about recreating the past, but about building tools for the future.
Whether the moa ever roams the New Zealand forests again remains uncertain, but Colossal Biosciences has once again sparked global debate—blending science fiction, biotechnology, and environmental responsibility into one of the most ambitious experiments of the decade