February 8, 2023: Dodo was last spotted in the mid-16th century, but the extinct bird might soon make a return! Continue reading to know more. Does the slang "DODO" has anything to do with the extinct bird?
The flightless extinct bird Dodo was last spotted in 1662 and has been dead for 350 years.
But it might soon be brought back from the ashes! Gene editing company Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences has planned to revive Dodo!
Born in 2021, Colossal believes that we are in the middle of an extinction crisis, and it is their responsibility to bring stories and excitement back to people in a way that motivates them to think about what is going on. This has been shared with CNN by Beth Shapiro, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who is also a part of this project.
Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences, based out of Dallas, Texas, has already raised $ 150 million (₹12409200000) in funding, and $225 million (₹18613800000) from high-end investors in the United States. They are currently working on several innovative technologies, including an artificial womb and modifications of the genome (The complete set of DNA or genetic material in an organism.)
They first plan to study the key differences between the DNA of the dodo and its closest relatives, the Nicobar pigeon, to understand what sets the former apart, genetically. Next, they will try to edit the genes of the Nicobar pigeon to make them resemble more like Dodos, and try putting their modified cells in the developing eggs of other birds, such as pigeons or chickens, to produce offspring that will naturally produce Dodo eggs. However, the idea is still in a very primary theoretical stage for the company.
They believe that there is an urgency to preserve species today than there ever was before. Therefore, Colossal, alongside the entire world's scientific community, has committed themselves to de-extinct the species that we have lost, for the greater good of the planet.
Dodo was last spotted in Mauritius, an island towards the eastern side of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Dodos were mostly confined to this region, and they went extinct after humans settled around in the mid-17th century. They were also hunted by other mammals like monkeys and rats, and their existence was also threatened by the rising sea levels.
Dodos were endemic (native) to the volcanic island of Mauritius alone, possibly because it offered multiple resources and safety to the birds. Living conditions were so perfect for Dodo on this island, that the bird adapted itself to even become flightless, and therefore not necessitating the requirement to leave.
Due to this stress-free environment, Dodos could only reproduce once a year by laying just one egg. The chicks hatched some time around August and were 8 inches tall during their birth, and they grew very quickly into adults. They mostly survived on fruits, seeds, nuts, bulbs, shellfish, and sometimes, crabs.
What's this extinct bird got to do with the slang "Dodo"?
As quoted by Reuters" Paleontologist Mark Norell of the American Museum of Natural History in New York explained how the dodo got its reputation: “It had a catchy name, had a ridiculous appearance, was flightless, and because of its lack of fear toward humans, probably due to its isolated habitat, made easy prey: traits which easily could have been attributed to stupidity.”
But Norell added, “Intelligence is a very hard quantity to measure.”
But now there is a debate wether the bird was actually dumb or not....maybe because the resurrection is being planned.
