Sir Peter Jackson, the acclaimed director of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is backing a project to bring back the extinct South Island giant moa. This ambitious endeavor aims to revive the towering flightless bird through advanced genetic engineering, with the hope of restoring ecological balance and cultural heritage to New Zealand.
The moa were a group of nine flightless bird species endemic to New Zealand. They ranged in size, from that of a turkey to the South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus), which could stand up to 3.6 meters (11.8 feet) tall and weigh around 230 kilograms (507 pounds). These birds played a vital role in shaping New Zealand's ecosystems for millions of years. However, within 100-150 years of Polynesian settlement, all nine species went extinct due to hunting and habitat changes. This rapid extinction is a well-documented example of human impact on megafauna.
The de-extinction project is a collaboration between the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre at the University of Canterbury, Canterbury Museum, Colossal Biosciences, and iwi Ngāi Tahu. Canterbury Museum holds the largest collection of moa remains in the world. The project plans to extract DNA from well-preserved moa remains found in South Island caves and swamps to rebuild the bird's genome. Ngāi Tahu will act as a board of directors, fully involved and holding ownership over the recreated moa.
Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal Biosciences, is optimistic about the timeline, estimating that moa hatchlings could be a reality within a decade. He believes that bringing back the moa could help balance the ecosystem and inspire future scientists. Paul Scofield, senior curator of natural history at Canterbury Museum, is also hopeful and envisions moa roaming a designated ecological reserve on Ngāi Tahu land within the next decade.
Sir Peter Jackson expressed his long-held fascination with the moa, stating that it has always been an elusive idea to imagine what it would be like to be in the company of one. He was an early investor in Colossal Biosciences, reportedly investing over $10 million.
However, some experts are skeptical about the project's feasibility. Zoology Professor Emeritus Philip Seddon from the University of Otago argues that true restoration of a lost species is impossible, especially after centuries of absence from its ecological context. He suggests that any resulting animal would not be a true moa. Concerns have also been raised about Colossal Biosciences' previous claims regarding the de-extinction of the dire wolf, which were later clarified to be modified grey wolves.
Despite the skepticism, the project team remains confident. They emphasize the advanced genetic engineering tools available and the potential benefits for conservation efforts. The knowledge gained from the moa de-extinction project could be applied to other conservation projects in New Zealand and beyond.
