Sir Peter Jackson and Colossal Biosciences Team Up to Bring South Island Giant Moa Back from Extinction

In a bold and unprecedented move, Sir Peter Jackson, the renowned film director and producer best known for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has joined forces with U.S.-based biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences to initiate a de-extinction project aimed at bringing the South Island giant moa back to life. The extinct flightless bird, which once roamed New Zealand’s South Island, disappeared from the ecosystem approximately 600 years ago. The ambitious project, supported by Ngāi Tahu, the principal Māori iwi of the South Island, is driven by a commitment to scientific innovation, cultural preservation, and ecological restoration.

Colossal Biosciences, the firm behind the project, has already made headlines for its work in genetic engineering, including the revival of the dire wolf, an extinct species of canid. The company's approach involves analyzing ancient DNA from preserved moa remains and comparing it to the DNA of closely related living bird species. By identifying key genetic traits, the team aims to reconstruct the genome of the South Island giant moa and, using advanced gene-editing techniques, engineer a living organism that closely resembles the extinct species.

A Scientific and Cultural Initiative

The project is not just a scientific experiment but also a deeply cultural endeavor. Ngāi Tahu, who have a long history of stewardship over their ancestral lands, are playing a central role in the initiative. The Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, based in Christchurch, is overseeing all aspects of the project, ensuring that the research aligns with the iwi’s values and aspirations for the future. Kyle Davis, an archaeologist with Ngāi Tahu, emphasized that the project reflects a new era of empowerment for the iwi. “We’ve moved from a place of dispossession to a place of dreaming and reengaging with the world,” Davis said.

Mike Stevens, the director of the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, noted that the moa played a significant role in the cultural and ecological history of New Zealand. “The loss of the moa was a salutary lesson in the fragility of New Zealand’s ecosystems,” he said. “This project is a way to acknowledge that history and to explore what we can learn from it for the future.”

Challenges and Controversies

While the project has garnered widespread interest and enthusiasm, it has also sparked debate among scientists and ethicists. Some researchers, including University of Otago’s Associate Professor Nic Rawlence, argue that the term “de-extinction” may be misleading. “What Colossal is doing is not de-extinction in the true sense,” Rawlence said. “They are creating a genetically modified organism that shares some traits with an extinct species. The line between what is a revived species and what is a designer animal is very thin.”

Colossal Biosciences, however, maintains that their work is a legitimate form of scientific resurrection. Dr. Beth Shapiro, the company’s chief science officer, has previously defended the concept, stating that their revived species, such as the dire wolf, possess distinct traits that make them biologically unique. She argues that the goal is not just to create a genetic replica but to produce an organism that functions similarly to the original in its ecological niche.

Technical and Environmental Considerations

Colossal scientists are currently working in laboratories to extract and assemble ancient DNA from moa remains stored in the Canterbury Museum. The museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of moa fossils, has provided crucial resources for the project. Many of the bones, some dating back 10,000 years, have retained enough DNA to allow for detailed analysis. The team is also studying a closely related South American bird species, which may serve as a genetic donor for the engineering process.

Paul Scofield, a senior curator at the Canterbury Museum, has expressed cautious optimism about the project. He praised the funding and resources allocated to the initiative and highlighted the potential for creating a regional biobank for other “taonga” (treasured) species. “This is more than just about the moa,” Scofield said. “It’s about building a foundation for the conservation of New Zealand’s unique biodiversity.”

Future Plans and Public Perception

Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal Biosciences, has emphasized the urgency of the project. “We’re off to the races,” he said. The company aims to complete the full genome of each of the nine moa species within the next few years, starting with the South Island giant moa. Once the genetic blueprint is finalized, the next step will be to engineer a living organism and eventually introduce it into carefully selected ecological reserves.

While the team acknowledges the public’s fascination with the project, they are clear about the practical limitations. “You’re not going to have them running around Christchurch,” Lamm said, downplaying comparisons to the Jurassic Park scenario. Instead, the plan is to house the first resurrected moa in secure, expansive reserves where their impact on the environment can be closely monitored.

The project invites questions about the ethics of genetic engineering and the responsibilities of scientists and society. But for Sir Peter Jackson and his collaborators, the vision is clear: to honor the past, understand the present, and shape a future where extinct species can once again play a role in the natural world.