Latest news with #FranWalsh
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Company That Brought Back Dire Wolves Plans to De-Extinct a Giant Bird Next with Peter Jackson's Help
Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh invested $15 million in Colossal Biosciences' effort to revive the extinct giant moa bird using ancient DNA and gene editing The project, in early stages, aims to bioengineer a moa-like bird while collaborating with Māori leaders and scientists to guide cultural and ecological restoration efforts in New Zealand Critics argue de-extinction diverts focus from protecting endangered species, but Colossal insists the technology is meant to complement conservation, not replace itLord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is helping fund a groundbreaking, and controversial, attempt to revive the extinct giant moa, a towering flightless bird that once roamed New Zealand. On Tuesday, July 8, Texas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences announced a new initiative to genetically recreate the South Island giant moa, which vanished around 600 years ago due to overhunting and habitat loss. Jackson and his longtime partner Fran Walsh have contributed $15 million to the effort, marking their first public investment in the company. "Thinking of Colossal as just a de-extinction company is failing to understand their full potential, for these same scientific breakthroughs will also be used to rescue multiple endangered species currently on the brink of extinction," said Jackson, per Colossal's website. "As far as the health of [the] 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." The project also includes a collaboration with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre at the University of Canterbury, representing New Zealand's principal Māori tribe in the South Island. Jackson, who owns one of the world's largest private moa bone collections, became involved after connecting with Colossal CEO Ben Lamm about two years ago, explained Jackson. That conversation led to a broader partnership. The early stages of the giant moa project will focus on recovering ancient DNA from well-preserved bone specimens and comparing it to the species' living relatives, like emus, to isolate the moa's unique traits. "We are in the very early stages," said Colossal's chief scientist, Beth Shapiro, noting that birds pose specific challenges. Unlike mammals, bird embryos develop inside eggs, which complicates any future surrogate process. Still, the team hopes to eventually bioengineer a bird that closely resembles the extinct moa in size and form. Colossal's announcement comes on the heels of its headline-making claim that it produced three dire wolf pups last year by modifying gray wolf DNA. The company is also working on reviving the woolly mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger. Its method — dubbed "de-extinction" — uses ancient DNA, CRISPR gene editing, and cloning to reintroduce lost genetic traits into modern species. While the moa project is still in its foundational phase, the company says it has committed "a large investment" to ecological restoration in New Zealand. The goal is to rehabilitate former moa habitats to support native wildlife, though no timeline has been given for when a moa-like bird might be born. Ngāi Tahu scholars are playing a key role in guiding the project's cultural and ecological direction. Archaeologist Kyle Davis, an expert in moa remains, says the collaboration has "reinvigorated the interest" in Māori traditions and mythology tied to the iconic bird. But not all scientists are convinced. Critics argue that true de-extinction isn't technically possible; at best, researchers can create a hybrid species with some similar traits. Others worry that investing in long-gone animals may divert attention and resources from critically endangered species that are alive today. "This is intellectually interesting, but should be a low priority," said Scott MacDougall-Shackleton, an avian biologist, to CNN Science, pointing to the hundreds of threatened island bird species urgently needing conservation. Lamm maintains the technology is meant to complement, not replace, traditional conservation. "I think that we could have a scalable de-extinction system that isn't going to replace conservation, but it is kind of that additional backup that I think we need, especially in these dire cases," he said." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peter Jackson Invests Millions to 'De-Extinct' This Species
Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is temporarily pivoting from filmmaking, pouring millions of dollars into a project which hopes to bring an ancient species back from extinction. The Associated Press reported earlier this week that Jackson and his partner, Fran Walsh, have invested $15 million in a joint effort with bioscience company Colossal and the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre in New Zealand to bring the South Island giant moa back from extinction. The moa, known as moa nunui by the Māori, was the tallest species of bird on record to ever have walked on Earth and was one of the tallest, surpassed only by the Malagasy elephant bird. They existed for about 4,000 years and went extinct roughly 600 years ago. Jackson, an avid collector of moa bones, got in touch with Colossal after hearing about the company's efforts to 'de-extinct' the dire wolf and the woolly mammoth. 'The movies are my day job, and the moa are my fun thing I do,' he said. 'Every New Zealand schoolchild has a fascination with the moa.'Although scientists say it is 'unlikely' that the moa could be completely brought back from extinction, it's possible that its traits could be infused into other bird species. 'There's lots of different scientific hurdles that need to be overcome with any species that we pick as a candidate for de-extinction,' explained Beth Shapiro, Colossal's chief scientist. 'We are in the very early stages.' For his part, Jackson seems to be all in. Although the director specified he's 'certainly not retired' from filmmaking during a recent interview with Screen Rant, he finds the moa consuming more of his imagination these days. 'To me, de-extincting the Moa would be just as exciting, if not more exciting, than any film I could possibly make,' Jackson admitted. 'I've made a lot of movies, but to see the giant moa brought back would be a level of excitement that I think would supersede anything at this point in time.' Peter Jackson Invests Millions to 'De-Extinct' This Species first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 11, 2025
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Peter Jackson Not Retired from Movies, Focused on Bringing a Giant Bird Back from Extinction
Yara Sameh 'Lords of the Rings' Oscar winner Peter Jackson has not directed a narrative feature film in more than a decade. The director presented his last feature, 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,' in 2014. Since then, he has pivoted to documentaries with 2018's 'They Shall Not Grow Old' and 2021's 'The Beatles: Get Back.' Jackson recently opened up to ScreenRant about his decade-plus hiatus from feature filmmaking. 'No, no. I'm certainly not retired,' he said. 'We are currently working on three different screenplays. I'm at the moment writing three different scripts.' 'We are producing and have been writing 'The Hunt for Gollum,' which Andy Serkis is going to direct next year,' he added, referencing the next 'Lord of the Rings' movie. 'I've enjoyed working on documentaries, whether they show I've grown old or not, and obviously the 'Get Back,' The Beatles project. I've enjoyed doing various things with The Beatles, which is great, and that'll probably carry on.' Recently, Jackson has been prioritizing Colossal, the biosciences company he is a major investor in. Together with the company's CEO Ben Lamm and archaeologist Kyle Davis, Jackson has been trying to bring the Giant Moa back from extinction. 'To me, de-extincting the Moa would be just as exciting, if not more exciting, than any film I could possibly make,' Jackson told ScreenRant. 'I've made a lot of movies, but to see the Giant Moa brought back would be a level of excitement that I think would supersede anything at this point in time.' 'Colossal Biosciences has announced an effort to genetically engineer living birds to resemble the extinct South Island giant moa – which once stood 12 feet (3.6 meters) tall – with $15 million in funding from Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh. The collaboration also includes the New Zealand-based Ngāi Tahu Research Centre.' 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum' will open in theaters on December 17, 2027. Jackson and his partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are producing the new movie. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Lord of the Wings? ‘Lord of the Rings' director backs plan to ‘de-extinct' New Zealand bird
In a 'Jurassic Park'-esque fashion, 'Lord of the Rings' director Peter Jackson and the Texas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences are partnering to 'de-extinct' the centuries-extinct New Zealand bird known as the moa. The partnership, according to the The Associated Press, sprung up two years ago after Jackson learned of Colossal's work to bring back species like the wooly mammoth and the dire wolf. A New Zealand native, Jackson is fascinated with the wingless, long-necked specimen. He called it 'part of the country's DNA,' in an interview with IGN. The tallest of the flightless bird, the South Island Giant Moa, once roamed freely on the South Island of New Zealand, but became extinct about 600 years ago due to overhunting by the first Polynesian settlers, who arrived circa 1300. It's particularly this rich, shared history is why Jackson wanted the involvement of the Ngāi Tahu, the principal Māori tribe of the South Island. 'The movies are my day job, and the moa are my fun thing I do,' Jackson told AP. Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh provided $15 million in funding to kick off the moa project with Colossal Biosciences, under one condition — collaboration with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, per IGN. Jackson, who owns one of the largest private collections of moa bones, facilitated the meetings between Colossal, the Ngāi Tahu and Paul Scofield, the world's leading moa expert. The bone collection is significant enough that Scofield, who is also a senior curator of natural history at the Canterbury Museum in New Zealand, described it as a 'comprehensive collection' when helping Jackson identify the different moa species represented in his collection. The moa project is in its early stages, as scientists are looking for well-preserved bones from which it may be possible to extract DNA, Colossal's chief scientist Beth Shapiro told AP. The process will resemble Colossal's current approach to genetically engineer living species in close relation to the specimen they're attempting to 'de-extinct.' Comparing the moa's DNA sequence of living bird species to other flightless creatures such as tinamou and emu will help Colossal understand what made the moa unique, Shapiro said. But working with birds presents a special challenge because of birds' embryos development inside eggs. Transferring an embryo to a surrogate will not look like mammalian IVF. Scientists agree that is more feasible to tweak the genes of living animals than bringing back extinct species, which is likely impossible. They also worried that focusing on extinct creatures deters from conservation efforts of currently endangered species, per AP. According to Duke University ecologist Stuart Pimm, who is not involved in the project, if the Colossal team manages to create a bird with large feet and thick, pointed claws similar to the moa, they will also face the challenge of determining an appropriate habitat for it as reported by AP. 'Can you put a species back into the wild once you've exterminated it there?' he said. 'I think it's exceedingly unlikely that they could do this in any meaningful way.' Pimm added, 'This will be an extremely dangerous animal.' Some X users immediately pointed to the parallelism of extracting ancient DNA by referencing 'Jurassic Park.' An entire X account devoted to the moa bird posted a flyer teasing a play-on-words title for Jackson's next epic trilogy: 'Lord of the Wings.' In a Slashdot forum, a user-driven platform similar to Reddit that focuses on science and technology, a user under the moniker PFritz21 comically critiqued the project as misguided. 'Did Peter Jackson not watch the new Jurassic Park movie?!?!' PFritz21 wrote. 'Once to [sic] start bringing birds back from extinction, you start to think dinosaurs might be a good idea.'
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Extinct New Zealand bird latest species Colossal wants to bring back
"Why aren't you doing the moa, which is a thing that I really care about?" Jackson told USA TODAY he asked the genetics wizards at the company, referencing the species of flightless birds which were indigenous to New Zealand but went extinct about 600 years ago. "I mean, the Tasmanian tiger ... and the mammoth's great, and everything else, but the moa is the thing that I was really passionate about," Jackson said. "And they said, 'sure we'd love to do it'." What is a 'sprite'?: NASA astronaut captures rare phenomenon from 250 miles above Earth Evidence of Jackson's passion about the moa: over the past 20 years or so, the filmmaker and his partner Fran Walsh had amassed a collection of more than 300 moa bones. As Jackson learned more about Colossal - DNA in ancient dire wolf bones helped create a dire wolf genome - he could envision the possible de-extinction of the moa. "With the recent resurrection of the dire wolf, Colossal has also made real the possibility of bringing back lost species," Jackson said in a press release about the new project. An advisor on the moa project, Jackson helped involve the Ngai Tahu Research Centre at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. The centre - established in 2011 to support education for the Ngai Tahu, the main Maori tribe of southern New Zealand - will direct the project, which also includes animal conservation efforts and the biobanking of other native species for preservation. "Every decision we make along the way in the research and the de-extinction is being led by them and governed and supported by them," said Ben Lamm, CEO and co-founder of Colossal, which is also creating a New Zealand subsidiary of the company. "It's been massively rewarding, because it also affords us the ability to get so much deeper in the culture in a way that we've never even done when we worked with other indigenous groups around the world." What animal is Colossal looking to bring back next? The South Island Giant Moa, so named because it was indigenous to New Zealand's south island. While there were nine distinct species of the wingless moa - including birds the size of turkeys - the South Island Giant Moa stood out, approaching 12 feet tall with its neck outstretched. Considered the world's tallest bird before it went extinct, "it's part of a family of large birds that once inhabited our ancestral tribal territories," said Kyle Davis, a Ngai Tahu archaeologist who has helped search for moa fossils as part of the project. The Giant Moa was "gigantic," weighing up to 250 kilograms (550 pounds), Paul Scofield, an moa expert and advisor on the project, told USA TODAY. "It was heavily covered in feathers from the head and even down the legs. It had really very massive feet, far more massive than any bird," said Stevens, the senior curator of natural history at Canterbury Museum, which has the world's largest collection of moa bones. A kick from the moa could be deadly, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, which noted the moa fed on seeds, fruits, leaves, and grasses, and laid one large egg of up to 7 inches in diameter. Experts say there were about 150,000 of the tall birds when the Polynesian settlers came to south New Zealand. Within about 150 years, they were extinct, said Mike Stevens, the director of the Ngai Tahu Research Centre, in the press release. "During the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, moa provided meat for sustenance, and bones and feathers for tools and decoration," especially in Te Wahipounamu (the official Maori name for southwest New Zealand), he said. The Giant Moa remains a symbol for the people of the south island and its potential resurrection fits within the country's many ongoing conservation efforts including the protection and resurgence of the kakapo, a flightless parrot. Research into de-extinction of the moa will likely shed light on New Zealand's ecological past. "It's really going to answer so many questions about prehistoric New Zealand," Scofield said. "Every single thing we discover about this amazing animal is really going to help flesh out what New Zealand was before humans arrived." So far, Colossal has created a genome of the tinamou, thought to be the closest living relative of the moa. While there's a lot of work ahead, Jackson envisions a natural environment for the Giant Moa to roam when it returns, he said in a promotional video about the project. "We're now at the point where being extinct isn't really the end of the story." Mike Snider is a reporter on USA TODAY's Trending team. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @ & @mikesnider & msnider@ What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
