Colossal’s Moa Revival: Bringing Back the 12-Foot Giant after Dire Wolf Success

Colossal Biosciences has announced its next de-extinction target: the moa, a towering flightless bird that once roamed New Zealand and stood up to 12 feet tall. Extinct for nearly 600 years, the moa is now set to join Colossal’s species revival lineup following its high-profile work on the dire wolf. In partnership with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre and filmmaker Peter Jackson, the company plans to reconstruct the moa genome from ancient bone DNA and use gene editing in a related species, such as the emu, to reintroduce key traits. More than a scientific feat, the Colossal moa project aims to restore ecological roles like seed dispersal, strengthen cultural heritage, and advance global rewilding efforts. Leveraging lessons from the dire wolf project, Colossal anticipates reproductive biology challenges but is targeting the moa’s return within the next decade—underscoring their belief that extinction doesn’t have to be permanent.

Read the full feature in Time.