OMM Newsroom
More than three centuries after the dodo became extinct in Mauritius, research aimed at bringing the bird back is entering a new phase.
Dallas-based biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences says it has made significant progress identifying the genetic traits that shaped the dodo’s distinctive appearance. The company says the findings could accelerate its broader programme to bring extinct species back.
The company is using artificial intelligence to analyse dodo DNA and identify genetic changes linked to features such as its large, hooked beak and distinctive skull structure.
Researchers hope the findings will eventually enable them to introduce key dodo traits into the Nicobar pigeon, regarded as the bird’s closest living relative.
One of the main challenges is the limited amount of dodo DNA available for study. Because only fragmented genetic material remains from extinct animals, it is difficult to determine which genes are responsible for particular traits.
To address this challenge, Colossal has developed an artificial intelligence platform to identify the most promising targets for gene editing. The system does not rely solely on ancient DNA; it also compares developmental traits across dozens of modern bird species to study how features such as beak shape and skull size develop.
Researchers say the technology has narrowed thousands of possible genetic candidates to a smaller group that could explain the dodo’s key traits.
From Nicobar pigeon to a dodo-like bird
The Nicobar pigeon, which lives on islands in Southeast Asia, is considered the closest living relative of the dodo. Unlike the flightless dodo, the pigeon can fly and is known for its glossy green and copper-coloured plumage.
Scientists plan to use gene editing to introduce selected dodo traits into the pigeon, producing birds that more closely resemble their extinct ancestor.
Colossal says it is nearing completion of a detailed analysis of the dodo genome and is improving its ability to test whether specific genetic changes produce the intended physical traits. The company has not given a timeline for when a living bird resembling a dodo might be produced.
Even if the genetic challenges are overcome, researchers will face another question: where could a restored dodo live?
The dodo went extinct in the 17th century after human settlement in Mauritius led to the introduction of non-native predators and increased hunting pressure. Having evolved without natural enemies, the bird was particularly vulnerable to these threats.
Releasing dodo-like birds into the wild would require extensive habitat restoration and control of introduced predators. Colossal says it is exploring the feasibility of such a programme with scientists, conservation groups and government officials in Mauritius.
Efforts to restore extinct species
The dodo is one of the species included in Colossal’s initiative to bring extinct animals back. The company is also pursuing projects involving the woolly mammoth, the thylacine — also known as the Tasmanian tiger — the extinct blue antelope and the giant moa.
Supporters of this approach believe advances in genetics could help restore lost biodiversity and support conservation. Critics question whether funding would be better directed towards protecting endangered species that still exist.
For now, the dodo remains a symbol of species loss caused by human activity. Researchers believe modern technology could turn the bird from a historical warning into one of the most ambitious scientific restoration projects attempted to date.
