Although Dodo birds went extinct a few decades before the 'Colonial Era' of the 1600s, they have remained an integral part of pop culture and mainstream folklore primarily because of their physical characteristics and the famed misconception that they weren't very intelligent creatures. Ultimately, Dodo Birds went extinct due to the loss of their natural habit (the Island of Mauritius) at the hands of Dutch explorers and the rodents that hitched a ride on their ships. The extinction story of the Wolly Mammoth is far more complex. According to studies, these prehistoric distant relatives of elephants lived approximately 500,000 years ago, all across Northern Europe, Northern Asia, and North America. Many paleontologists believe these large mammals died off shortly after the Ice Age because of climate change, a vegetation shortage, and being hunted by people. Still, the answer remains a mysterious, highly debated topic to this very day.
Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology company based in Austin, Texas, set out to genetically resurrect Dodo birds and Wolly Mammoths in 2021. The company's CEO, Ben Lamm, recently announced that Colossal Biosciences had raised $225 million in support of their initiatives. While it is not plausible to clone these animals, Lamn's team is attempting to reconstruct their DNA by using their original gene codes and making a number of modifications so they can withstand today's climate.
"Humanity can undo the sins of the past with these advancing genetic rescue technologies," Lamm said. "There is always a benefit for carefully planned rewilding of a species back into its native environment.
Colossal Biosciences currently staffs over 40 scientists in their three laboratories. If Ben Lamm and his team of scientists are successful, the new Wolly Mammoths and Dodo birds will carry 99.6% of their ancestor's DNA.
Source: Smithsonian Magazine
