From Dire Wolves to the Giant Moa: Colossal Expands De-Extinction Pipeline

Colossal Biosciences has officially launched the Colossal moa project, adding New Zealand’s tallest flightless bird to its growing de-extinction pipeline. Standing up to 12 feet tall, the moa vanished within centuries of human arrival. In partnership with the Ngāi Tahu iwi, Colossal is applying advanced genome sequencing and synthetic biology to reconstruct the genetic blueprint of all nine moa species, using dozens of ancient bone samples. This Māori-led effort is more than a technical milestone — it’s a mission to restore lost ecological roles, revive cultural heritage, and inspire global conservation innovation. As the fifth species in Colossal’s lineup, the moa joins the woolly mammoth, thylacine, dodo, and dire wolf projects, each advancing the vision of a more biodiverse and resilient planet.

Read the full feature in IFLScience.