BABY CHICKENS OF EXTINCT BIRD SPECIES HATCHED FROM ARTIFICIAL EGG

WASHINGTON, MAY 22 /SRNA-Reuters/ - More than two dozen healthy baby chickens of the extinct species South Island Giant Moa have hatched from an artificial egg platform developed by Colossal Biosciences, said the company's CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm.

"Using our system we have hatched 26 chicks and we are now actively monitoring these birds as they grow up," Lamm told Reuters.

He stressed that the company, which is engaged in the restoration of extinct species, calls this success a key step in its plan to bring back to life the Giant Moa, which became extinct several centuries ago.

"The technology is designed to closely replicate the conditions of a natural egg to produce healthy animals with normal development, fertility and longevity. This is especially important for species like the moa, whose eggs were far larger than those of any living bird, making traditional surrogate approaches impractical," Lamm said.

He added that the moa and the dodo bird are among six species that the company plans to revive using ancient DNA material.

The moa, which reached a height of about 3.6 meters, became extinct about 500 years ago due to hunting. Its closest living relative is the emu, a large flightless bird from Australia that can reach a height of about 1.8 meters.