Ngāi Tahu Research Centre

The South Island giant moa towered over New Zealand's forests for millions of years before becoming extinct within a century of Polynesian settlement around 1400 CE. Colossal Biosciences plans to resurrect the 500-pound birds using ancient DNA extracted from cave deposits and artificial egg technology. [Source image: Colossal Biosciences]

Colossal Biosciences Takes On De‑Extinction of New Zealand’s 12‑Foot Moa After Dire Wolf Milestone

by | Jul 9, 2025
The Dallas decacorn is scaling its de-extinction pipeline with indigenous leadership, a New Zealand subsidiary, and economic models for species preservation, including ecotourism opportunities. Filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson helped connect the collaborators, Colossal CEO Ben Lamm says.
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