Rare Egg from Extinct Giant Bird Is Being Returned to New Zealand After Years in Private Collection in the U.S.

A rare egg belonging to the giant moa, an extinct flightless bird native to New Zealand, is set to be returned to its homeland after more than sixty years in the United States. The valuable relic was procured by Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology firm, which announced its commitment to repatriating the egg following an auction held in Colorado earlier this year.

The egg, reconstructed from several fragments, was originally discovered in New Zealand on 14 January 1966, before subsequently being acquired for a private collection. It measures approximately 8.7 inches in length and 6.7 inches in width, making it a remarkable find in the context of the fewer than 40 largely intact moa eggs held in public collections worldwide. Among these, only eight eggs are known to retain over 90% of their original shell.

The moa, which vanished approximately 600 years ago, comprised nine separate species, with the largest, the South Island giant moa, towering close to twelve feet tall and weighing over half a ton. These fascinating birds roamed New Zealand for centuries before their extinction, likely within two centuries of the arrival of Polynesian settlers.

Filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson, renowned for his work on the “Lord of the Rings” franchise, is among the supporters of Colossal’s endeavour to return the moa egg to New Zealand. Jackson expressed how the majestic bird has intrigued him throughout his life, stating that every New Zealander feels a profound sense of loss connected to the moa. He revealed that during his hikes in the New Zealand bush, he often finds himself hopeful of catching a glimpse of the elusive “last moa,” as he reminisces about the bird’s mythical stature in New Zealand’s natural history.

Following the auction, Jackson and others reached out to Colossal Biosciences upon learning that the egg was to be sold beyond New Zealand’s borders. The company swiftly agreed to complete the purchase and arrange for the egg’s safe transport back to its country of origin. The egg will be entrusted to the Ngāi Tahu, a Māori iwi from the South Island, whose ancestors coexisted with the moa.

Colossal Biosciences aims to conduct further research, potentially helping to determine the specific species of moa responsible for the egg and its origin. This scientific inquiry will be conducted in collaboration with Ngāi Tahu researchers, who will oversee the work in accordance with Māori cultural practices. The focus remains on returning the significant artefact to New Zealand, where extensive historical and cultural insights could be gleaned.

Kyle Davis, an archaeologist representing Ngāi Tahu, stated that the return of such a rare egg is a significant event. “To see an egg of this rarity return to Te Waipounamu is extraordinary,” Davis remarked. He elaborated on the egg’s importance, sensing it carries vital information about the moa species that laid it, the landscape it originated from, and the people connected to its history.

Colossal is also engaged in separate projects exploring the possibility of using advanced techniques to resurrect the moa through de-extinction technologies. For now, however, the immediate focus remains on preserving the knowledge and connection to New Zealand’s past through the return of the moa egg, an artefact that has travelled a long path home. The company plans to make the return of the egg official in December, marking a momentous occasion for both New Zealand and the scientific community.