Dodo De-Extinction Project Secures $120 Million in Funding

An American firm, Colossal Biosciences, has announced a significant breakthrough in avian genetics, raising $120 million (£98 million) to accelerate its project to “de-extinct” the dodo. The company has successfully cultivated pigeon germ cells for the first time—a crucial step, as the Nicobar pigeon is the dodo’s closest living relative.

The dodo, a powerful symbol of extinction, disappeared over three centuries ago due to human activity. Colossal Biosciences, now valued at $10.3 billion, aims to bring the bird back to life and reintroduce it to its native home of Mauritius.

CEO Ben Lamm stated that as the world’s only company specializing in de-extinction, it was “logical that the dodo would be one of our flagship projects.”

Scientific and Ecological Outlook

According to scientist Beth Shapiro, the team is confident they can restore the dodo’s iconic traits, including its large, curved beak, massive body, and inability to fly.

The new funding will allow Colossal to expand its teams and research, particularly into artificial wombs and rare bird reproduction techniques.

Colossal has established a local advisory committee to work closely with the Mauritian community.

Shapiro highlighted that a similar reintroduction project with Aldabra giant tortoises successfully helped restore forests in Mauritius, and dodos could play a similar ecological role by dispersing seeds and promoting forest regeneration.

Timeline and Broader Implications

The company hopes for a first dodo hatching within five to seven years, though they emphasize prioritizing quality over speed.

For Ben Lamm, the project goes beyond science, representing a chance to “repair a past mistake and give hope for conservation.”

Source: Defi Media