Acclaimed filmmaker Peter Jackson, known for his “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, has ventured into a unique collaboration with a biotech company, Colossal Biosciences, aimed at resurrecting the extinct South Island giant moa of New Zealand.
This ambitious project has received a significant boost with a $15 million investment from Jackson and his producing partner, Fran Walsh.
Jackson’s passion for the moa, a flightless bird that once stood an impressive 12 feet tall, has also led to an involvement with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, a New Zealand-based organization focused on indigenous research.
“The movies are my day job, and the moa are my fun thing I do,” Jackson stated.
He also emphasized the widespread fascination with the moa among New Zealand schoolchildren, which has likely fueled his interest in this extinct species.
Historically, the moa thrived in New Zealand for approximately 4,000 years before succumbing to extinction around 600 years ago, primarily due to overhunting by humans.
This bird’s long neck and iconic stature captured international attention when a large skeleton was transported to England in the 19th century, igniting curiosity about this remarkable creature.
Colossal Biosciences, which has also pursued other de-extinction projects such as the woolly mammoth and the dire wolf, acknowledges that the moa revival project is in its nascent stages.
The collaboration sparked to life about two years ago, following a phone call initiated by Jackson upon learning of Colossal’s groundbreaking work to genetically recreate animals similar to those that once roamed the Earth.
Jackson’s extensive collection of between 300 and 400 moa bones has played a pivotal role in this endeavor, allowing the team to work with well-preserved specimens.
The legal landscape surrounding moa bones in New Zealand permits buying and selling bones found on private land, though it prohibits such activities on public conservation areas and restricts exports.
The first phase of the moa project will involve identifying preserved bones that may yield valuable DNA for analysis.
According to Colossal’s chief scientist, Beth Shapiro, these extracted DNA sequences will be compared to the genomes of living bird species, including the emu and the ground-dwelling tinamou.
This genetic comparison aims to pinpoint the unique attributes that distinguish the moa from its living relatives.
The methodology employed by Colossal for the moa project mirrors its previous work with dire wolves, where the company analyzed ancient DNA to define genetic differences with modern gray wolves.
However, bringing back a bird like the moa presents distinct challenges compared to mammals.
Bird embryos develop differently, requiring a specialized approach for embryo transfer to surrogate hosts, which cannot employ the same techniques used in mammalian in vitro fertilization.
Shapiro noted that numerous scientific challenges must be addressed with any species considered for de-extinction, highlighting the project’s early-stage status.
Beyond the technical hurdles of creating a moa-like bird, significant ecological considerations must be evaluated.
Ecologist Stuart Pimm of Duke University raised concerns about the feasibility of reintroducing an extinct species into a landscape where it no longer exists, questioning the practicality of such an undertaking.
Pimm warned, “This will be an extremely dangerous animal,” casting doubt on the project’s potential success and its implications.
Culturally, the direction of the project will be informed by Māori scholars from the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre.
Archaeologist Kyle Davis, specializing in moa remains, acknowledged that this collaborative effort has revitalized interest in examining Māori traditions and mythologies tied to the moa.
During a visit to Pyramid Valley, an archaeological site featuring both moa remains and ancient rock art depicting the bird, Jackson and Davis engaged in a comprehensive exploration of the history surrounding this extinct species.
Paul Scofield, a senior curator of natural history at the Canterbury Museum, noted Jackson’s thorough approach, stating, “He doesn’t just collect some moa bones – he has a comprehensive collection.”
The collaboration between Peter Jackson, Colossal Biosciences, and Māori researchers represents a fascinating intersection of science, conservation, and cultural heritage, with the hope of rediscovering an iconic part of New Zealand’s natural history.
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