Latest news with #Moa
ABC News
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Moa De-extinction
The US company Colossal Biosciences has announced plans to bring back the Moa - an extinct giant bird that once called New Zealand home. It's got the backing of a famous Kiwi filmmaker. But not everyone is convinced that we can resurrect extinct animals or that we should be trying. Join Justina on an epic adventure to discover what it takes to bring something back from extinction.
NBC News
13-07-2025
- Science
- NBC News
Researchers launch new effort to revive extinct species
Researchers at the company 'Colossal Biosciences' are launching a new effort to revive the giant Moa bird in its latest effort to resurrect an extinct species. NBC News' Marissa Parra has the details.
Malaysia Sun
13-07-2025
- Science
- Malaysia Sun
Filmmaker joins biotech effort to bring back extinct giant bird
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Filmmaker Peter Jackson's lifelong fascination with the extinct giant New Zealand flightless bird called the moa has led to a surprising new partnership with U.S.-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences, which aims to bring back extinct species through genetic engineering Jackson, best known for directing The Lord of the Rings , owns one of the world's largest private collections of bones from the moa. This week, Colossal announced a new project to re-create a bird resembling the South Island giant moa, a towering creature that once stood up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) tall. The project has received US$15 million in funding from Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh and includes collaboration with New Zealand's Ngāi Tahu Research Centre. "The movies are my day job; the moa are my fun thing," Jackson said. "Every New Zealand schoolchild grows up fascinated by the moa." While scientists doubt extinct animals can be truly brought back, some believe it's possible to alter existing species to resemble them genetically. Still, there are concerns that efforts like this may take attention and resources away from conserving living endangered species. Moa lived in New Zealand for thousands of years before being hunted to extinction about 600 years ago. International interest in the bird spiked in the 19th century when a complete skeleton was sent to England, now housed in the Yorkshire Museum. Jackson became involved with Colossal after learning of its efforts to "de-extinct" species like the woolly mammoth and dire wolf. He connected the company with scientists he had met through his collection of 300 to 400 moa bones. In New Zealand, moa bones can be traded if found on private land, but cannot be exported or taken from public conservation areas. The project's first step is to identify well-preserved moa bones that may contain extractable DNA, said Colossal's chief scientist, Beth Shapiro. The DNA will be compared with that of living ground-dwelling birds like the emu and tinamou to determine what made the moa unique. Shapiro said re-creating a bird is harder than re-creating a mammal because birds develop inside eggs. Applying techniques like CRISPR to avian embryos faces scientific hurdles. Even if a moa-like bird is created, Duke University ecologist Stuart Pimm questioned its viability. "Where would you put it?" he asked, noting the challenges of reintroducing extinct species. "This would be a very dangerous animal." Ngāi Tahu researchers are helping guide the project, linking it to Māori traditions and heritage. Moa bones and ancient Māori rock art at sites like Pyramid Valley add cultural depth to the work. "He doesn't just collect moa bones," said Canterbury Museum curator Paul Scofield. "He has a comprehensive collection."
Canada News.Net
13-07-2025
- Science
- Canada News.Net
Filmmaker partners with Colossal Biosciences to recreate lost species
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Filmmaker Peter Jackson's lifelong fascination with the extinct giant New Zealand flightless bird called the moa has led to a surprising new partnership with U.S.-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences, which aims to bring back extinct species through genetic engineering Jackson, best known for directing The Lord of the Rings, owns one of the world's largest private collections of bones from the moa. This week, Colossal announced a new project to re-create a bird resembling the South Island giant moa, a towering creature that once stood up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) tall. The project has received US$15 million in funding from Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh and includes collaboration with New Zealand's Ngāi Tahu Research Centre. "The movies are my day job; the moa are my fun thing," Jackson said. "Every New Zealand schoolchild grows up fascinated by the moa." While scientists doubt extinct animals can be truly brought back, some believe it's possible to alter existing species to resemble them genetically. Still, there are concerns that efforts like this may take attention and resources away from conserving living endangered species. Moa lived in New Zealand for thousands of years before being hunted to extinction about 600 years ago. International interest in the bird spiked in the 19th century when a complete skeleton was sent to England, now housed in the Yorkshire Museum. Jackson became involved with Colossal after learning of its efforts to "de-extinct" species like the woolly mammoth and dire wolf. He connected the company with scientists he had met through his collection of 300 to 400 moa bones. In New Zealand, moa bones can be traded if found on private land, but cannot be exported or taken from public conservation areas. The project's first step is to identify well-preserved moa bones that may contain extractable DNA, said Colossal's chief scientist, Beth Shapiro. The DNA will be compared with that of living ground-dwelling birds like the emu and tinamou to determine what made the moa unique. Shapiro said re-creating a bird is harder than re-creating a mammal because birds develop inside eggs. Applying techniques like CRISPR to avian embryos faces scientific hurdles. Even if a moa-like bird is created, Duke University ecologist Stuart Pimm questioned its viability. "Where would you put it?" he asked, noting the challenges of reintroducing extinct species. "This would be a very dangerous animal." Ngāi Tahu researchers are helping guide the project, linking it to Māori traditions and heritage. Moa bones and ancient Māori rock art at sites like Pyramid Valley add cultural depth to the work. "He doesn't just collect moa bones," said Canterbury Museum curator Paul Scofield. "He has a comprehensive collection."
Express Tribune
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Lord of the Rings Director aims to revive New Zealand's Moa bird species extinct for 600 years
Peter Jackson is collaborating with Colossal Biosciences to revive New Zealand's Moa bird species, which has been extinct for 600 years. Known for directing The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, Jackson has invested in the Texas-based biotech company to support the potential revival of the giant Moa bird. These flightless birds span nine unique species, with some standing up to 3.6 metres tall and weighing as much as 500lbs. Colossal Biosciences is working with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre in New Zealand to collect Moa bones for DNA sampling. Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh have already gathered around 400 Moa bones, which have been sampled for DNA to assist in creating a complete genome. 'Fran and I have a collection of around 400 Moa bones, and we've already sampled them for DNA,' Jackson told IGN. 'I see my role over the next year or two as gathering as many more bones as I can. The more bones, the better the genome.' Jackson added, 'I've always loved the idea of de-extinction. Particularly, since the science can also have huge benefits with endangered species too.' The Moa project is a personal passion for Jackson, who told MSN, 'The movies are my day job, and the Moa are my fun thing I do.' Colossal Biosciences has recently been in the spotlight for similar projects. The company's work aims to use de-extinction science to support biodiversity and conservation efforts globally.
