US biotech firm advances plan to bring dodo back to Mauritius

Colossal Biosciences announced progress in its effort to resurrect the extinct dodo bird, using a new AI platform to identify genetic traits for gene-editing, with the goal of returning the species to Mauritius. The Dallas-based company plans to edit genes of the Nicobar pigeon, the dodo's closest living relative, to express dodo traits. Its dodo genome analysis is 95% complete, and it has expanded its pigeon colony to 36 birds in Texas, though no hatching timeframe was announced. Colossal is pursuing de-extinction for six species, including the woolly mammoth and dire wolf. The company is consulting Mauritian officials on habitat restoration and predator removal, as the dodo was driven to extinction in the 17th century by invasive species and hunting.