Peter Jackson & Colossal Biosciences: Reviving the Southern Giant Moa

[Cody]

I couldn’t stop laughing at the trailer. I swear, the way they presented the moa walking through the forest felt like some kind of bonus DLC character reveal for a survival video game. Like, “Coming this fall: Prehistoric Expansion Pack – unlock the Southern Giant Moa and trample through New Zealand in style!” I half expected a stats screen to pop up: HP 3000, Speed: Slow, Special Skill: Seed Dispersal. Don’t get me wrong—I love the science and cultural angle, but the presentation had that dramatic flair that made it feel like a game teaser more than a nature project.

 

[kermitfries]

Kentucky Fried Moa, anyone? I know it sounds funny, but seriously—if these birds were hunted to extinction so quickly, they must have been unbelievably tasty. I mean, it’s sad they disappeared, but also kind of fascinating to think humans couldn't resist how good they were. If the scientists manage to bring them back and they end up overpopulated, I wouldn’t mind trying a moa drumstick. Of course, I support the conservation goals and cultural importance, but if we’re restoring them to healthy numbers… maybe one or two could end up on the grill. Just saying.

 

[Geoff]

Await the day when technology enables us to accurately and completely replicate the real moa, not just a close replica or a guess. We run the danger of further damaging the ecosystem if we fail now and implement a phony version. Let's do it correctly the first time. If we are merely going to produce anything that resembles a Moa, this is a risky slope to work on. The Dire Wolf they brought back was previously condemned for being more of a contemporary hybrid than a true Dire Wolf. With the Moa, we shouldn't repeat the same error.

We must be stringent about the outcomes if the objective is to restore a true species. If not, we are merely creating imitations and referring to them as the actual thing. That is more akin to entertainment than true science. Although I can appreciate the excitement, we must exercise patience and not hurry this process. Await the day when technology enables us to accurately and completely replicate the real moa, not just a close replica or a guess. We run the danger of further damaging the ecosystem if we fail now and implement a phony version. We should do it correctly the first time.

 

[guy]

That will be one heck of a drumstick. It could probably feed a whole family for a week! Jokes aside, I can’t stop imagining how massive this bird really was. If it stood 12 feet tall, then everything about it must’ve been oversized—legs, feathers, and definitely the meat. Of course, I know the goal here isn’t to farm them or eat them, but the thought just crosses your mind when you hear “giant bird.” I do hope people don’t start thinking of it as food again. That’s what wiped them out in the first place. Let’s bring it back to help the environment, not the dinner table.

 

[Redturtle]

I think bringing back the moa is a good idea. There’s still plenty of space in New Zealand where they could live and not bother anyone. If the Māori didn’t eat them long ago, maybe they would still be around today. I don’t mean that as blame, just saying how things happened. Now we have the chance to fix it. It would be amazing to see a real moa walking again. I only saw pictures in books or museums. To see one in real life before I die would be something special. It’s not just science—it’s bringing back part of history. I say bring the moa back.

 

[PADAM PADAM]

I think I agree with the part about focusing on protecting the living species we still have. Birds like the kiwi, takahe, and kakapo are already struggling, and they need urgent help. While I understand the excitement and the possibilities that come with new technology, I feel uneasy about bringing extinct species like the moa back. Some things are meant to remain in the past. The moa had its time, and maybe it’s more respectful to let it rest in dignity and peace. We don't always need to play God just because we have the tools. There’s something valuable about learning from extinction, not trying to reverse it.

 

[toddj82]

I admire Peter Jackson’s passion and how he’s funding something deeply rooted in his heritage. But I’m worried about priorities. The moa went extinct hundreds of years ago, and today we are watching living species like the kakapo struggle to survive. Should we really invest millions trying to build something that only looks like a moa when that same money could protect habitats and help endangered species now?

Also, the technical side is far from guaranteed. DNA degrades over time. Even with partial sequences, stitching together a full genome that’s viable and expressing it in a living bird is more science fiction than science right now. I don’t want to discourage innovation, but I believe our limited resources should go to practical, immediate action. If we fail, what message does that send about conservation? That extinction isn’t permanent? That we can play God later? I just don’t think nature works like that.

That said, I’ll be watching the project closely, especially how they collaborate with the Māori community. If this helps cultural heritage or inspires better ecological awareness, maybe there’s a silver lining. I just hope it doesn’t become another spectacle with no lasting benefit.

 

[RadLad87]

Honestly, this is one of the coolest things I’ve heard all year. I grew up watching The Lord of the Rings, and now Peter Jackson is bringing back dinosaurs? I know the moa isn’t technically a dinosaur, but still—it’s like Jurassic Park in real life. I get that some scientists are doubtful, but if no one tries, we never know what’s possible. It’s better to experiment and push science than just give up. If this works, imagine how much more we could learn about extinct animals. It’s not just about bringing them back—it’s about understanding the past. And if Jackson is funding it privately, it’s his money. I don’t see the harm in trying. I hope I get to see a moa someday. They were huge!

 

[DodgyAussie]

This feels like ego more than ecology. I understand Peter Jackson loves the moa, but what is the practical goal here? We already struggle to protect living birds in New Zealand. Adding a synthetic giant bird into a modern landscape is not only dangerous but unfair to nature.

What if it fails? What if it works too well? Large animals have big ecological impacts. Do we even know where we’d put one? Nature’s balance took thousands of years to settle. You don’t just insert a 12-foot bird into that.

Also, calling it “de-extinction” is misleading. It won’t be a real moa. It’s a man-made version, maybe similar, but not the same. Like a clone with the wrong memories.

I’m not impressed by the funding or the buzz. I’m worried that people think extinction is a reversible thing now. It’s not. Play with CRISPR, fine—but don’t pretend we’re bringing back the past. We’re just making something new and risky.

 

[LukeFletcher]

Dude. A 12-foot chicken is coming back? I’m in. Sign me up. I don’t even care if it’s not 100% original moa DNA or whatever. Just make the bird, let it stomp around, and let me film a reaction video with it. That’s all I need.

I know some people are crying about “we shouldn’t mess with nature,” but bro... humans already messed nature up. Bringing back a prehistoric beast isn’t worse than everything else we’ve done. If we’ve got the tech, let’s flex it.

Also, Peter Jackson doing this makes it even better. Like, this guy made dragons fly in movies, now he’s trying to make a bird real? He’s becoming a wizard in real life.

As long as they don’t release it in a public park where it eats toddlers, I’m good. Bring on the moa.