Colossal Announces Breakthrough in Dodo De-Extinction With Pivotal Avian Cell Discovery

CNN reports that Colossal Biosciences has reached a pivotal milestone in its mission to revive the extinct dodo. The company’s scientists successfully cultured primordial germ cells (PGCs) from the rock pigeon, a breakthrough that lays the groundwork for applying similar techniques to the dodo’s closest living relative, the Nicobar pigeon. This discovery marks a critical step toward creating viable dodo-like birds while also expanding the toolkit for global avian conservation.

This latest announcement builds on Colossal’s momentum following its headline-making work with dire wolves. Earlier this year, the company revealed the first cloned dire wolves, a project that underscored Colossal’s expertise in large-scale de-extinction and positioned the Colossal dire wolf as a benchmark in biotech innovation. Together, these efforts demonstrate how Colossal is pioneering both species revival and genetic rescue strategies that can support endangered populations worldwide.

Read the full feature in CNN.