Our Species

With Disruptive Conservation, We Can Save Animals & Their Ecosystems

With Disruptive Conservation, We Can Save Animals & Their Ecosystems

For the first time ever, humanity possesses the means to rectify our past missteps and heal nature on a massive scale. By building on the knowledge and successes of the conservationists that came before us, and utilizing breakthroughs in science and technology, we have an opportunity to turn the tide on extinction and secure a vibrant future for life on Earth.

At Colossal, nothing is more important than supporting species, balance and biodiversity in our planet’s ecosystems. That’s why our conservation efforts are ambitious and intentionally engineered to drive the development of technologies for the benefit of the future.

species Lab
& field notes

Northern White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum cottoni

  • Est. Current Population: 2
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Perissodactyla
  • Family: Rhinocerotidae
  • Genus: Ceratotherium
  • Region: Central African grasslands
  • Avg. Length: 5 to 6 ft | 1.5 to 1.8 m
  • Avg. Weight: 3080 to 7920 lb | 1.4 to 3.6 tons
[ Status : Critically Endangered ]

Population Threats

  • HABITAT loss
  • Poaching

Sumatran Rhino

Dicerorhinus sumatrensis

  • Est. Current Population: 40
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Perissodactyla
  • Family: Rhinocerotidae
  • Genus: Dicerorhinus
  • Region: Central African grasslands
  • Avg. Length: 3.3-5 ft | 6.5-13 feet
  • Avg. Weight: 1,320 -2,090 lb | 0.66 to 1.05 tons
[ Status : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ]

Population Threats

  • Habitat Loss
  • Poaching

In Partnership With:

Engineering a Future for the Northern White Rhino

Colossal joins BioRescue for the Northern White Rhino project, sequencing viable museum samples to restore genetic diversity. Gene editing tools are being developed to enhance cell lines for embryo transfer, ensuring the restoration of lost genetic diversity.

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In Partnership With:

Protecting Sumatran Rhinos from Extinction

The Critically Endangered Sumatran rhino faces severe population declines due to habitat loss and low genetic diversity. This collaboration seeks to enhance existing breeding programs and leverage genetic sequencing and assisted reproductive technologies to support and increase the population of rhinos in Indonesia.

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Vaquita

Phocoena sinus

  • Est. Current Population: <10
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Artiodactyla
  • Family: Phocoenidae
  • Genus: Phocoena
  • Region: Northern end of the Gulf of California
  • Avg. Length: 150 cm (4.9 ft) (females) or 140 cm (4.6 ft) (males)
  • Avg. Weight: 27 kg - 68 kg | 60 lb - 150 lb
[ Status : Critically Endangered ]

Population Threats

  • Fisheries bycatch
  • Habitat Loss
  • Pollution

Rescuing the Panda of the Sea

The vaquita is the world's smallest cetacean, and it is on the verge of extinction. With only a handful of vaquitas left, this project employs state-of-the-art monitoring techniques to track and study the remaining vaquitas in the Gulf of California. By analyzing this data, the initiative seeks to enhance conservation efforts and develop effective strategies to stabilize and increase the vaquita population.

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African Forest Elephants

Loxodonta cyclotis

  • Est. Current Population: 95,000
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Proboscidea
  • Family: Elephantidae
  • Genus: Loxodonta
  • Region: West & Central Africa
  • Avg. Weight: Up to 4,000 kg
[ Status : Critically Endangered ]

Population Threats

  • EEHV
  • Habitat Loss
  • Poaching
  • Human-Elephant Conflict

African Savanna Elephant

Loxodonta africana

  • Est. Current Population: 350,000
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Proboscidea
  • Family: Elephantidae
  • Genus: Loxodonta
  • Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
[ Status : ENDANGERED ]

Population Threats

  • EEHV
  • Habitat Loss
  • Poaching & Wildlife
  • Human-Elephant Conflict

Asian Elephants

Elephas maximus

  • Est. Current Population: <50,000
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Proboscidea
  • Family: Elephantidae
  • Genus: Elephas
  • Region: Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia
  • Avg. Length: 5.5–6.5 m (including trunk)
  • Avg. Weight: 2.7 - 4 tons
[ Status : Endangered ]

Population Threats

  • EEHV
  • Habitat Loss
  • Poaching
  • Human-Elephant Conflict

In Partnership With:

AI-Enhanced Orphan Elephant Reintroduction

Partnering with Botswana’s Elephant Havens, we employ our AI platform to study orphaned elephants’ social development for eventual reintroduction. This aids Elephant Havens’ release strategies and provides valuable insights for rewilding elephants in herds lacking a strong adult presence. 

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In Partnership With:

Elephant Drone Behavior Tracking

Deciphering the secrets of elephant behavior could revolutionize conservation for this iconic species. This project utilizes advanced drone technology and machine learning for tracking and studying African elephants, and aims to enhance conservation and research efforts by providing detailed insights into elephant behavior and social dynamics.

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In Partnership With:

Saving Elephants from a Deadly Virus

Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus (EEHV) is a leading cause of death among juvenile elephants worldwide. This project aims to combat EEHV by developing vaccines and treatments to protect both captive and wild elephant populations.

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Northern Quoll

Dasyurus hallucatus

  • Est. Current Population: 80,000
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Dasyuromorphia
  • Family: Dasyuridae
  • Genus: Dasyurus
  • Region: Northern Australia
  • Avg. Length (w/o tail): 25–37 cm | 9.8–15 in
  • Avg. Weight: 350 - 1,120 g | 12 - 40 oz
[ Status : Endangered ]

Population Threats

  • Invasive Species (Cane Toads)
  • Habitat Loss

In Partnership With:

Engineering Cane Toad Resistance in Northern Quolls

The introduction of invasive cane toads to Australia has wreaked havoc on native marsupial predators who have suffered severe population declines due to the toad’s deadly toxins. One of the species that has suffered most is the Endangered northern quoll. This project uses advanced gene-editing technologies to introduce genetic resistance to cane toad toxin in northern quolls. By developing genetically resilient populations, the initiative aims to prevent the extinction of the northern quoll and restore ecological balance.

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Pink Pigeon

Nesoenas mayeri

  • Est. Current Population: 500
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Columbiformes
  • Family: Columbidae
  • Genus: Nesoenas
  • Region: Mauritius
  • Avg. Length: 36–38 centimetres | 14–15 in
  • Avg. Weight: 350 grams
[ Status : Vulnerable ]

Population Threats

  • Habitat Loss
  • Disease
  • Genetic Erosion

In Partnership With:

Pink Pigeon Genetic Rescue

The pink pigeon, a bird native to the island of Mauritius, faces extinction in coming decades due to severe genetic erosion. This project employs cutting-edge gene editing techniques to genetically rescue the pink pigeon and reintroduce historic diversity into today’s population. Utilizing preserved DNA from museum specimens, the initiative seeks to strengthen the genetic resilience of the charismatic species, ensuring its long-term viability.

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Tooth-Billed Pigeon

Didunculus strigirostris

  • Est. Current Population: 70 - 380
  • Class: Aves
  • Order: Columbiformes
  • Family: Columbidae
  • Genus: Didunculus
  • Region: Samoa
  • Avg. Length: 31 cm
  • Avg. Weight: 400 g
[ Status : Critically Endangered ]

Population Threats

  • habitat loss
  • Hunting
  • Invasive Species

In Partnership With:

Searching for the Lost Tooth-Billed Pigeon

This elusive tooth-billed pigeon, also known as the “little dodo,” is a bird native to the island of Samoa. It is classified as Critically Endangered and has not had a confirmed sighting since 2013. This collaboration is working to develop an A.I.-powered bioacoustic monitoring system aimed at locating the “lost” tooth-billed pigeon using the bird’s unique vocalization.

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Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon

Tympanocryptis pinguicolla

  • Est. Current Population: 70
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Squamata
  • Family: Agamidae
  • Genus: Tympanocryptis
  • Region: Australia
  • Avg. Length: 12 - 15cm
  • Avg. Weight: 5–9 grams
[ Status : Critically Endangered ]

Population Threats

  • Habitat Loss

In Partnership With:

Rediscovering the Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon

The Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon is a Critically Endangered Australian lizard that was rediscovered in 2023 after not being seen for over 40 years. This project established an interim insurance and conservation breeding program for the recovered dragon population, and utilizes cutting-edge genomic technology to stabilize and grow its population.

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