Colossal Biosciences, renowned for resurrecting extinct species like dire wolves, is now partnering with filmmaker Peter Jackson and the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre to revive the moa, a native New Zealand flightless bird that went extinct about 600 years ago.

Colossal CEO Ben Lamm emphasizes the project's cultural significance, aiming to respect indigenous stewardship and promote ecological restoration, with plans to house the revived moa in ecological preserves rather than immediate wild release.

Despite the scientific promise, experts question the feasibility of reintroducing extinct species like moa into the wild, citing significant ecological and ethical challenges, and the project is expected to take up to ten years.

The team plans to initially revive the South Island Giant Moa, with the broader goal of potentially bringing back all nine moa species to better understand and study them.

The project is in its early stages, focusing on extracting DNA from well-preserved moa bones, including Jackson's personal collection, and comparing it with genomes of living birds such as emus and tinamous to understand what makes moa unique.

Jackson, who has sampled moa bones for DNA and aims to gather more, views the effort as a 'redemption story' that could inspire biodiversity conservation, ecotourism, and scientific interest, especially given the moa's dinosaur-like appearance.

The project involves genomic biobanking, funding Māori-led expeditions, and building educational facilities to reinforce Māori leadership and tikanga, with the first genomes expected to be completed by summer 2026.

Jackson’s involvement also ties into his work on the upcoming 'The Hunt for Gollum' film, scheduled for release in December 2027, and reflects his broader interest in conserving New Zealand’s natural heritage.

This pioneering model of indigenous-led conservation science could set a global precedent for de-extinction efforts, combining cutting-edge genetic techniques with cultural respect and ecological responsibility.

While the process involves significant costs—estimated in the eight figures—the project aims to advance genetic research and potentially create commercial biotech and environmental benefits.