Colossal Plans Jurassic‑World‑Style Revival of the Giant Moa

In collaboration with Ngāi Tahu and Peter Jackson, Colossal taps ancient DNA and genome editing to bring back New Zealand’s lost giant bird

BY Cassidy Ward

Colossal Biosciences is collaborating with New Zealand’s Ngāi Tahu Research Centre and Peter Jackson to de‑extinct the South Island giant moa—one of the Earth’s tallest birds. Towering females reached more than 12 feet at full stretch and shaped New Zealand’s forests through grazing and seed dispersal. The team is now collecting ancient DNA, assembling full moa genomes, and using CRISPR‑based editing to recreate moa traits within a modern surrogate species. This partnership, led by Māori conservationists, blends cutting‑edge science with Indigenous authority, advancing a new model for ethical species restoration. Colossal envisions the moa’s return as a bold step in rewilding ecosystems and forging regenerative pathways for the planet.

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