From Dire Wolves to Giant Birds Colossal Targets the Moa Next

Colossal Biosciences has announced its next de‑extinction project: restoring the moa, the tallest flightless bird ever, building on its dire wolf success. Once thriving across New Zealand, moa species—including the South Island giant—were wiped out around 600 years ago. Working hand‑in‑hand with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre and Peter Jackson, Colossal is sequencing moa genomes from ancient remains and engineering critical traits into surrogate birds. This Māori‑led initiative is the fifth species restoration in Colossal’s lineup and exemplifies their ethos: harness breakthrough genomics to restore ecosystems and cultural heritage. The moa’s potential return could redefine conservation by demonstrating that extinction is not final.

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