TheMOA

Colossal Project 005 /// BrinGing back the moa

new zealand’s lost giant

A mysterious giant of equally enigmatic origins, the moa once dominated the forests and plains of New Zealand—existing nowhere else—until it vanished into extinction.

By the late 13th century, human activity led to the rapid decline and ultimate disappearance of the moa. Today, Colossal is committed to bringing it back.

A Family Lost to Time

THE MOA SPECIES

The moa, a group of large, flightless birds endemic to New Zealand, once played a pivotal role in shaping the country's unique ecosystems. Their extinction approximately 500 years ago, primarily due to overhunting by early Māori settlers, left a significant void in New Zealand's ecological and cultural landscape. Today, we are using advancements in genetic engineering and de-extinction science to bring the moa back to life, aiming to restore ecological balance and cultural heritage.

AI render of MOA

[ Moa De-Extinction: Restoring The Past For A Better Future ]

VIDEO 001
VIDEO

Moa De-Extinction: Restoring The Past For A Better Future

Ending extinction to advance the genetic future of humankind and the health of the planet starts with thinking beyond what people think is impossible. See what we’re doing at Colossal Biosciences today to rewrite history tomorrow.

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THE MOA SPECIES

The moa, a group of large, flightless birds endemic to New Zealand, once played a pivotal role in shaping the country's unique ecosystems. Their extinction approximately 500 years ago, primarily due to overhunting by early Māori settlers, left a significant void in New Zealand's ecological and cultural landscape. Today, we are using advancements in genetic engineering and de-extinction science to bring the moa back to life, aiming to restore ecological balance and cultural heritage.

new Zealand’s lost giant

Dinornithiformes

Moa (order Dinornithiformes) comprised several species varying in size, with the largest, such as Dinornis robustus, standing up to 3.6 meters tall and weighing around 230 kilograms. These herbivorous birds had long necks, sturdy legs, and a distinctive feather covering. Unlike other ratites, moa lacked even vestigial wings, having lost them entirely during evolution. Their diet consisted of leaves, twigs, and fruits, playing a crucial role in seed dispersal and vegetation management within their habitats.

VITALS
HEIGHt /Up to 12 feet tall
WEIGHT /Up to 510 LBS
LIFE SPAN /Approx. 50 Years
TOP SPEED /3 to 5 km/h
Habitat /Forests, shrublands
Diet /Herbivorous
FAMILY TREE
[ EXTINCTION DATE ]

13TH—15TH
CENTURY

CSL-LABS // INVESTOR PROFILE

Peter Jackson

New Zealand Filmmaker SCREENWRITER DIRECTOR COLOSSAL INVESTOR
QUOTATION MODULE

“As a kid I was so excited by the many scientific wonders that I assumed would happen before I reached the age of 25. The Moon landings had just begun, so obviously we’d have flying cars by the time I got my driver’s license, not to mention personal submarines and jet packs.

“...I was looking forward to indisputable proof that UFO’s existed, along with Yeti’s, the Loch Ness Monster... and I had no doubt that extinct creatures like the Mammoth and the Dodo, would soon be walking amongst us again. The world ahead was full of wondrous potential.

Six decades on, it’s fair to say that the world we live in is far from wondrous. So many dreams never came to pass. Then a couple of years ago, I became aware of Colossal Biosciences. Learning about the work this formidable group of clever people have been doing, has rekindled my hope for the future.”

Beth Shapiro extracting MOA DNA
QUOTATION MODULE

“As a kid I was so excited by the many scientific wonders that I assumed would happen before I reached the age of 25. The Moon landings had just begun, so obviously we’d have flying cars by the time I got my driver’s license, not to mention personal submarines and jet packs...”

Peter Jackson & Ben Lamm with MOA Fossils
QUOTATION CONTINUES

“...The Colossal team is working diligently towards bringing back the Woolly Mammoth, the Dodo, and many other extinct animals - that hitherto only lived in our imaginations. We’re on the eve of de-extinction stepping out of the realm of speculative science fiction, into an awe inspiring new reality.

But thinking of Colossal as just a de-extinction company is failing to understand their full potential - for these same scientific break throughs will also be used to rescue multiple endangered species currently on the brink of extinction. As far as the health of natural world goes, this is the most positive news any of us could hope to receive. It’s great - I’m feeling like an excited kid again."

- Peter Jackson

Beth Shapiro extracting MOA DNA
A CLOSER LOOK AT MOA DISTRIBUTION

Distribution
& Habitat

01
LOCATION
Name

DINORNIS

FAMILY

Dinornithidae

SYSTEMATICS

D. robustus
(South Island, blue)
D. novaezealandiae
(North Island, red)

HABITAT

Browsing generalist Found in upland, lowland, and open forest habitats Larger forms occupied low rainfall areas

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 56–249 kg / Height: 90–200 cm
Significant sexual dimorphism — females up to three times the mass of males

02
LOCATION
Name

ANOMALOPTERYX

FAMILY

Emeidae

SYSTEMATICS

Monotypic:
Anomalopteryx didiformis

HABITAT

Non-coastal lowland forests with a continuous canopy

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 26–64 kg / Height: 50–90 cm

03
LOCATION
Name

EMEUS

FAMILY

Emeidae

SYSTEMATICS

Monotypic: Emeus crassus (South Island)

HABITAT

Preference for lowland forest (usually <200m) and swamps

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 36–79 kg / Height: 73–99 cm

DISTRIBUTION

Moa species inhabited diverse environments across New Zealand's North and South Islands. Their habitats ranged from coastal regions to high-altitude subalpine zones.

In the South Island, species like the South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus) were prevalent in both high-rainfall beech forests on the west coast and the drier eastern shrublands.

The upland moa (Megalapteryx didinus) favored subalpine zones but also occupied coastal areas with suitable terrain.

In the North Island, the North Island giant moa (Dinornis novaezealandiae) inhabited high-rainfall forest habitats, while species like Pachyornis geranoides were found in drier forests and shrublands.

04
LOCATION
Name

MEGALAPTERYX

FAMILY

Megalapterygidae

SYSTEMATICS

Monotypic: Megalapteryx didinus (South Island)

HABITAT

Subalpine scrub, grassland, and high country forests (usually >900m)

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 28–80 kg / Height: 65–95 cm
Pleistocene specimens were significantly larger than Holocene forms

05
LOCATION
Name

EURYAPTERYX

FAMILY

Emeidae

SYSTEMATICS

Monotypic: Euryapteryx curtus (formerly E. gravis and E. geranoides)

HABITAT

Drier climates Typically lowland open forest and coastal sites

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 12–109 kg / Height: 51–103 cm

06
LOCATION
Name

PACHYORNIS

FAMILY

Emeidae

SYSTEMATICS

Pachyornis geranoides(North Island)
Pachyornis elephantopus(South Island, blue)
Pachyornis australis (South Island, green)

HABITAT

P. australis: Subalpine grassland
P. elephantopus: Lowland forest edges and wetland vegetation

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 17–163 kg / Height: 54–121 cm

A Pillar of Māori Culture

WhakataukI of the Moa

The Moa’s Role in Māori Life

For the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, moa were a vital resource. They provided meat for food, feathers and skins for clothing, and bones for tools and ornaments. Moa also held a place in Māori mythology and oral traditions, symbolizing strength and resilience. The bird's extinction profoundly impacted Māori culture, leading to whakataukī (proverbs) that reference the moa to convey messages about survival and loss.

For the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, moa were a vital resource. They provided meat for food, feathers and skins for clothing, and bones for tools and ornaments. Moa also held a place in Māori mythology and oral traditions, symbolizing strength and resilience. The bird's extinction profoundly impacted Māori culture, leading to whakataukī (proverbs) that reference the moa to convey messages about survival and loss.

Prof. Mike Stevens

Director of the Ngāi Tahu
Research Centre

“During the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, moa provided meat for sustenance, and bones and feathers for tools and decoration, especially in Te Waipounamu. And the loss of moa, through over-harvesting and habitat modification, was a salutary lesson as to the New Zealand archipelago’s ‘fragile plenty’. We Ngāi Tahu have successfully partnered with the New Zealand government over many decades to protect and enhance endangered species, especially bird species. However, we are particularly excited by this project because of the extent to which it enables us to exercise our rangatiratanga (leadership) and tikanga (customs) and the potential to bring ecological and economic aspirations into a singular frame. We also see huge importance in this technology as we enter the Anthropocene.”

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Treasures of the Ancestors Passed Through Generations

MOA BONES AS JEWELRY

In traditional Māori society, artisans skillfully crafted necklaces and jewelry from moa bones, transforming them into culturally significant adornments.

One notable example is a necklace from Murihiku (Southland), where moa bones were shaped to resemble whale teeth, reflecting both resourcefulness and aesthetic sensibility.

These creations were more than decorative; they embodied the wearer's mana (spiritual essence) and served as treasured heirlooms, connecting generations and preserving ancestral heritage.

In traditional Māori society, artisans skillfully crafted necklaces and jewelry from moa bones, transforming them into culturally significant adornments.

One notable example is a necklace from Murihiku (Southland), where moa bones were shaped to resemble whale teeth, reflecting both resourcefulness and aesthetic sensibility.

These creations were more than decorative; they embodied the wearer's mana (spiritual essence) and served as treasured heirlooms, connecting generations and preserving ancestral heritage.

Quote
“A partnership of this nature, Colossal's capabilities combined with tribal knowledge affords an ability for a new world-view to be shared. De-extincted species coupled with re-introductions of extant endangered taonga/treasured species will achieve ecological restorations of an immensely higher magnitude. With the project being South Island Māori-led, we will ensure progress is conducted in accordance with Rangatiratanga (ancestral authority) and tikanga (traditional laws and customs).”

Kyle Davis Ngāi Tahu

Paenga Kupenga Centre

OUR Process

de-extinction of the South Island giant moa

01
03
05
[ elegant crested tinamou ] [ elegant crested tinamou ]
01

GENOMICS

  • It is important to obtain genomes that are as complete and error free as possible because we use them for multi-genome alignments, comparative analyses and phenotype predictions that will guide our genome editing. We sequence high quality genomes of close living relatives of the moa, as well as ancient genomes from multiple moa species to understand what genetic changes gave rise to moa-specific traits, like large body size and absence of wings.
02

Primordial Germ Cell (PGC) Culture

  • PGCs are the precursors to eggs and sperm and will ultimately pass information on to the next generation. We use PGCs as a substrate for genetic editing, both to build a surrogate bird and also as a template to introduce genetic changes that will give rise to birds with moa specific traits. Growing PGCs from different bird species has been a challenge for decades. As we develop culture conditions for more avian species, we lay the groundwork for future conservation and de-extinction efforts.
03

Interspecies Surrogacy

  • Avian de-extinction requires a living species of bird–both male and female surrogates–to carry the eggs and sperm of the moa. Surrogates could also be used to help boost populations of endangered species. In order for a surrogate to be successful, egg size and nutritional content should be well matched between the surrogate and rescue species.
04

Target Species

  • Moa — There were nine species of moa of varying size and ecological specialization, spread across different habitats in New Zealand.
  • Tinamou — Genetic analyses recently determined that the entire group of tinamous are the closest living relatives of the moa. There are 47 species of tinamou, all flighted birds that live in the neotropics of South America, Mexico, and Central America.
  • Emu — After tinamous, emu are the next closest relative and are native to Australia. Similar to the moa species, emu do not fly and are significantly larger birds compared to tinamou. Their larger size makes them a more suitable surrogate for moa de-extinction. 
05

Editing Tools

  • There are millions of genetic changes between a moa genome and that of a living relative. We use genotype to phenotype predictions to narrow down the most important changes, but we also are constantly developing tools to increase the number of genetic edits that we can make. Multiplex genome editing allows us to perform more edits at once, and delivery of large cargo DNA allows us to “write” larger pieces of DNA into genomes. 
06

Automation

  • Recognizing the need for genetic restoration in conservation, as well as the large number of edits needed for de-extinction, we aim to automate cell production and editing workflows.
And the Final Step . . .
07

Incubation

& HATCHing

ANCIENT OFFSPRING

MODERN PARENTS

Bird de-extinction requires a living species of bird to carry the eggs and sperm of the bird we want to bring back.

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Bird de-extinction requires a living species of bird to carry the eggs and sperm of the bird we want to bring back.

“The gigantic moa were a cornerstone of Aotearoa/New Zealand ecosystems. Colossal Biosciences and the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre are providing New Zealand conservationists with an unprecedented opportunity to recreate lost taonga (treasured) moa species. This Ngāi Tahu Research Centre-led initiative will drive new historical, ecological, and scientific discoveries on the path to recreating moa. The knowledge gained will be beneficial to all of New Zealand, to conservation, and the world.”

Paul Scofield

Colossal Advisor & Senior Curator of Natural History at the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch, New Zealand
OUR PARTNER
Colossal is committed to improving all life on Earth, especially the species we’ve lost and the ones we’re at risk of losing. Canterbury Museum is the largest museum in the South Island of New Zealand. It holds the largest collection of moa in the world.

Canterbury Museum

Visit Partner Site

The museum's founder, Sir Julius von Haast, was instrumental in building this collection, often exchanging moa bones with overseas museums to acquire other valuable artifacts and specimens. These exchanges, alongside extensive local excavations, made it the pivotal institution for understanding the biology of these gigantic extinct birds.

MOA VARIANT
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3D FOOTPRINTS

DETAILS EXPAND +

Senior Curator Natural History Paul Scofield recently helped to identify some moa bones and footprints found on a beach just south of Timaru.

The prints and bones were found by Pareora local Chris Sargent while walking his dog.

Chris contacted South Canterbury Museum director Philip Howe, who in turn contacted Paul.

Paul identified the prints as having been made by an adult Heavy-footed Moa or South Island Giant Moa.

There’s a chance they were made by the same bird whose bones were found nearby!

DETAILS

Senior Curator Natural History Paul Scofield recently helped to identify some moa bones and footprints found on a beach just south of Timaru.

The prints and bones were found by Pareora local Chris Sargent while walking his dog.

Chris contacted South Canterbury Museum director Philip Howe, who in turn contacted Paul.

DETAILS

Paul identified the prints as having been made by an adult Heavy-footed Moa or South Island Giant Moa.

There’s a chance they were made by the same bird whose bones were found nearby!

A sudden vanishing

INdex

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INdex

A sudden vanishing

The UNTIMELY
EXTINCTION
of New
Zealand’s Moa

Before human arrival, the moa's only predator was the formidable Haast’s eagle.

New Zealand’s isolation for 80 million years created ecosystems with few predators, making native species highly vulnerable to external threats.

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Sightings and Speculation

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When Polynesians arrived before 1300, intense hunting and habitat destruction through forest clearing quickly led to the extinction of all moa species.

By 1445, moa populations had vanished, and the Haast’s eagle, reliant on the moa for food, also became extinct.

Carbon-14 dating of middens has shown that this extinction event occurred in less than 100 years, much faster than previously believed.

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Despite their extinction, numerous reports of moa sightings persisted for centuries. In the 1850s, an expedition reported seeing two emu-like birds on a South Island hillside, and large three-toed footprints were discovered near Tākaka in 1861. In 1887, Alice McKenzie, then a young girl, claimed to have seen a moa twice in Fiordland, later dismissing the takahē as the bird she saw. Similar accounts, including those from Māori hunters in the 1770s and whalers in the 1820s, fueled speculation that some moa species, particularly Megalapteryx didinus, might have survived in remote regions until the 18th or 19th centuries.

Ecological
Impact

The extinction of moa led to significant ecological changes in New Zealand's ecosystems.

The extinction of moa led to significant ecological changes in New Zealand's ecosystems. As the dominant large herbivores for millions of years, moa filled a niche similar to deer, antelope, or elephants in other parts of the world. Their browsing habits shaped vegetation structure and composition, and their extinction resulted in altered forest compositions and disrupted plant community dynamics. Moa were also important seed dispersers—particularly fornative plant species that had evolved fruits suited to large-bodied herbivores.

With their disappearance, those plant populations receded significantly due to the loss of an effective dispersal mechanism. Additionally, their extinction likely triggered the downfall of Haast’s eagle, a giant raptor that preyed almost exclusively on moa and could no longer sustain its population once its primary food source was gone.

MOA SeED DISPERSAL FEaTURES & FUNCTION

Ecological
Impact

The extinction of moa led to significant ecological changes in New Zealand's ecosystems.

The extinction of moa led to significant ecological changes in New Zealand's ecosystems. As the dominant large herbivores for millions of years, moa filled a niche similar to deer, antelope, or elephants in other parts of the world. Their browsing habits shaped vegetation structure and composition, and their extinction resulted in altered forest compositions and disrupted plant community dynamics. Moa were also important seed dispersers—particularly fornative plant species that had evolved fruits suited to large-bodied herbivores.

With their disappearance, those plant populations receded significantly due to the loss of an effective dispersal mechanism. Additionally, their extinction likely triggered the downfall of Haast’s eagle, a giant raptor that preyed almost exclusively on moa and could no longer sustain its population once its primary food source was gone.

In the field & Lab

OUR PROCESS

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Colossal’s unwavering commitment to species revival has driven our team to pioneer groundbreaking methods in de-extinction science—advancing the possibility of bringing the moa back to life. Our cutting-edge work in biobanking and genetic reconstruction offers a path to reverse extinction, restoring lost biodiversity and reintroducing this iconic species to its native ecosystem. With each breakthrough, we move closer to rewriting the end of the moa’s story.

For more information on the R&D behind the Moa Visit Science & Technologies