Reviving the Dodo: Colossal Biosciences partners with Mauritius for historic resurrection

The dodo bird could potentially be resurrected. A concerted plan to restore its population in Mauritius is underway.

Colossal Biosciences, an American company specializing in biotechnology and genetic engineering, has established a partnership with the non-governmental organization, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. The focus of this collaboration is to resuscitate the dodo bird species, which disappeared in the 17th century. The agreement's news was reported by the BBC.

The agreement's signing happened approximately ten months after Colossal Biosciences publicly declared its ambitious plan for the comeback of the extinct dodo species. A group of biotechnologists, headed by Professor Beth Shapiro, has already sequenced this extinct bird's DNA.

"The dodo, a bird closely linked with Mauritius, unfortunately also symbolizes the role humanity played in its extinction. It also embodies our efforts to prevent species extinction," said Vikash Tatayah, the director of conservation at the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.

"We are deeply appreciative of Colossal's technology and the promise to revitalise this emblematic species, which disappeared in the 1680s, to its native habitat," he added.

The dodo was a large bird species from the pigeon family, native only to Mauritius. Even though it is often referenced as an extinct animal species in history and culture, very little is known about its existence in the wild. The species became extinct due to overhunting by humans who arrived on the island and were unmindful of its vulnerability, as well as the pillaging of nests by pigs introduced to the islands.

In popular culture, the dodo has become a symbol of extinction. The English saying "dead as a dodo," means something irretrievably lost.

The agreement between Colossal Biosciences and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation also proposes measures to safeguard the pink pigeon. With only about 500 remaining in Mauritius, the species is under threat due to insufficient genetic diversity. The collaboration aims not just to bring an extinct species back from oblivion but also to protect those still teetering on the brink of extinction.