Pink Pigeon Genetic Rescue

Project Details:

In 1990, only 10 pink pigeons were identified in the wild, making it the last living pigeon of the Mascarenes. Thanks to the dedicated work of conservationists, the population has grown to about 600 individuals today. However, the species still teeters on the edge of extinction due to the threat of inbreeding and a severe lack of genetic diversity.

In Partnership With

The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) is a Mauritian non-profit conservation organization which, since 1984, protects and safeguards Mauritius’s natural heritage from extinction through scientific conservation work and community awareness. The organization is known for having saved more bird-species on Mauritius and Rodrigues than any other country in the world, works as consultant in restoration techniques and runs ecotourism and corporate social responsibility activities.

Re:wild protects and restores the wild. We have a singular and powerful focus: the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity and human wellbeing crises. Founded by a group of renowned conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio, Re:wild is a force multiplier that brings together Indigenous peoples, local communities, influential leaders, nongovernmental organizations, governments, companies and the public to protect and rewild at the scale and speed we need.

The Colossal Foundation has partnered with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation to leverage advanced biotechnology to address this critical issue. Using DNA preserved in pink pigeon museum specimens, this collaboration aims to bolster the genetic resilience of the pink pigeon by introducing lost genetic variations back into the population.

After our team of researchers have identified key genomic sequences to reintroduce into today’s population, the gene editing tools being developed for the de-extinction of the dodo will be used to edit diversity back into the pink pigeon. This includes culturing primordial germ cells (PGCs) – the precursors to sperm and egg cells in birds – of pink pigeons, making the targeted edits, and using surrogate parents to create embryos with the previously lost diversity.

The scientific discoveries we bring to Mauritius will impact the dodo and be applicable to several threatened bird species. Rewilding Mauritius with the dodo is a monumental step for avian conservation.

Ben Lamm
CEO & Co-founder of Colossal Biosciences

By leveraging cutting-edge biotechnologies, The Colossal Foundation is committed to working with global partners to prevent avian extinctions and ensure the survival of unique species – like the pink pigeon – for future generations.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE EFFORT:

Genetic Sequencing:

Sequencing DNA from museum specimens and contemporary birds helps identify genetic variations lost over time. This information is crucial for restoring genetic diversity in the pink pigeon population.

Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs) Culturing:

Culturing PGCs from pink pigeons allows for multiple DNA edits in the lab. These edited PGCs can then differentiate into sperm or egg cells within surrogate parents, which can be mated to create embryos with the desired genetic traits.

Gene Editing:

After identifying key regions of diversity in historic pink pigeon specimens, genetic editing will be deployed to restore these lost genes back into today’s birds.