The Dodo bird, Raphus cucullatus, holds a unique place in history as a symbol of species loss, having vanished from its native Mauritius around 1681. Its flightless existence and sudden disappearance made it an example of extinction driven by human activity. Now, modern advances in genetic science have sparked a provocative question: could the Dodo be brought back?
This concept, known as de-extinction, moves beyond science fiction and into the laboratory, focusing on resurrecting the species from its genetic remnants. Scientists are actively working toward a biological triumph. The goal is to generate a living animal genetically identical to the species lost centuries ago.
Reconstructing the Dodo’s Genetic Blueprint
The first step toward resurrection requires obtaining the complete genetic blueprint of the extinct bird. Because the Dodo vanished long before modern preservation techniques existed, scientists must rely on ancient DNA (aDNA) sourced from rare museum specimens. This genetic material is typically extracted from bone fragments or preserved soft tissue, but it is heavily damaged and broken down into millions of tiny pieces.
Researchers face the immense technological challenge of piecing together this highly degraded genome, akin to assembling a complex puzzle with many shattered pieces missing. The goal is to create a high-quality, continuous reference genome that accurately represents the Dodo’s complete DNA sequence. This foundational dataset provides the precise molecular instructions required before gene editing or biological engineering can begin.
The De-Extinction Methodology: Gene Editing and Surrogacy
Once the Dodo’s genetic map is reconstructed, scientists must use advanced tools to translate that blueprint into a living cell. The strategy involves using the Dodo’s closest living relative, the Nicobar pigeon, as a biological starting point. Researchers compare the full Dodo genome sequence with the Nicobar pigeon’s genome to identify the specific genetic differences that define the Dodo.
Gene editing technology, specifically the CRISPR-Cas9 system, allows for precise modifications at the molecular level. This technology enables researchers to systematically edit the Nicobar pigeon’s cells, replacing or altering segments of its DNA to match the Dodo’s sequence. The aim is to reprogram a Nicobar pigeon’s germline cell into one that contains the Dodo’s genetic code, resulting in a fully Dodo-like cell.
Following successful gene editing, the engineered nucleus, now containing the Dodo-like DNA, must be transferred into an unfertilized egg cell from the relative species. This technique, similar to somatic cell nuclear transfer, results in an egg with the genetic instructions of the Dodo. A major biological hurdle arises in finding a suitable surrogate mother capable of laying and incubating the large Dodo egg.
The Dodo laid a large egg, and the Nicobar pigeon is far too small to lay and incubate an egg of that necessary size. Scientists must identify a much larger pigeon or dove species, or potentially genetically engineer a modern bird to function as a biological incubator. The surrogate must be capable of carrying the modified embryo to term, and successful hatching represents the birth of the first Dodo in centuries.
Ecological Hurdles for Reintroduction
Creating a viable Dodo chick in a laboratory is only the first part of the challenge; ensuring its survival in the wild presents a different set of difficulties. The Dodo’s native home, the island of Mauritius, has undergone radical ecological transformation since the bird’s extinction in the 17th century. The original native forest habitat has been largely cleared or altered, drastically changing the availability of the bird’s natural food sources, such as specific fruits and seeds.
Many of the plants the Dodo relied upon for sustenance or seed dispersal are now rare or gone, creating an environment unable to sustain a reintroduced population. The absence of the Dodo itself has altered the ecology, as the bird was likely a disperser for the seeds of certain native trees. Reintroducing the Dodo requires simultaneous restoration of the complex ecological relationships it once participated in.
The island is now populated by invasive animal species not present during the Dodo’s time. Non-native predators, including rats, pigs, and macaques, pose a serious threat to any newly introduced Dodo population. These animals would readily prey upon the flightless, ground-nesting birds, especially their eggs and chicks. The Dodo evolved without terrestrial mammalian predators, making it behaviorally naïve to these threats.
A bird hatched and raised in a laboratory would lack the natural survival instincts necessary for foraging, avoiding danger, and finding mates. Releasing a lab-raised Dodo requires extensive training, known as behavioral conditioning, to instill the necessary survival skills. Without a suitable, protected, and fully restored habitat free of invasive species, reintroduction would likely result in the rapid re-extinction of the species.
Project Status and Expected Timelines
The current status of the Dodo de-extinction project shows significant progress in the initial genomic phase. The company Colossal Biosciences, a leader in this area, has partnered with researchers to complete the sequencing and analysis of the Dodo genome. While the genetic blueprint is largely in hand, the subsequent steps of large-scale gene editing and establishing a successful surrogate program remain highly complex technical challenges.
The company has publicly stated ambitious goals, aiming to achieve the birth of a Dodo chick within the next few years, often citing a window around 2027 to 2029. Even if a living Dodo is created within this timeframe, the subsequent stages of raising a viable population and addressing the immense ecological hurdles will take many additional years. The current work confirms that the Dodo’s return is a scientific possibility, but it is a complex, multi-decade undertaking.