The U.S. biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences announced on October 1st its plan to revive the ivory-billed woodpecker by 2025, amidst the ongoing debate about whether this iconic bird species is truly extinct.
The ivory-billed woodpecker was once a keystone species in the forests of the southern United States, playing a crucial role in creating habitats for other wildlife. However, widespread deforestation in the 19th century led to a dramatic population decline. By the mid-20th century, only a few individuals remained, and after the last confirmed sighting in 1944, the species was believed to be extinct.
Despite occasional reports of sightings and even video evidence, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed in 2021 to officially declare the species extinct. However, in October 2023, the decision was delayed once more due to lingering uncertainty about the bird’s status. Regardless of these uncertainties, Colossal Biosciences remains committed to using advanced gene-editing technologies to revive the ivory-billed woodpecker and restore its role in the ecosystem.
How to revive the ivory-billed woodpecker
The revival of the American ivory-billed woodpecker is a key project of the newly founded Colossal Foundation, which funds research into DNA analysis to pave the way for its restoration and reintroduction by 2025. The Colossal Foundation works closely with local organizations, the Avian Genomics Group, and private benefactors.
According to Colossal Biosciences, current technology for reviving extinct species primarily relies on cloning methods, such as those used for Dolly the sheep in 1996. However, for birds like the ivory-billed woodpecker, a different approach is being taken. Researchers will sequence the genome and analyze the DNA of the bird’s closest living relatives. The goal is to modify the genetic makeup of related bird species to match the genetic traits of the ivory-billed woodpecker. The specific bird species chosen as the closest living relative for this process has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Founded in 2021, Colossal Biosciences focuses on reviving extinct species like the woolly mammoth, the Tasmanian tiger, and the dodo using advanced gene-editing technologies. Despite criticism over potential ecological risks, the scientists are pursuing the idea of bringing back extinct species to restore the ecological balance in their natural habitats and promote conservation efforts.
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