Is the Dodo Bird Coming Back? Not Yet, But Science Is Trying

Is the dodo bird coming back? As of now, the answer is no—the dodo (Raphus cucullatus) remains extinct, and there is no confirmed timeline for its return. However, recent advances in genetic technology have sparked serious scientific discussion around the possibility of de-extinction, making "is the dodo bird coming back" a question increasingly explored by biologists, conservationists, and bioengineers. While we are not on the verge of seeing live dodos in nature reserves or zoos, groundbreaking research into ancient DNA and genome editing—particularly CRISPR technology—is laying the foundation for what could one day be a revived version of this iconic bird.

The Dodo: A Symbol of Extinction

The dodo, native to the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, became one of the most famous symbols of human-caused extinction. Flightless, curious, and unafraid of humans, the dodo was easy prey when Dutch sailors arrived in the late 16th century. Within less than a century of its discovery, the species vanished, with the last confirmed sighting occurring around 1662. Its extinction was accelerated not only by hunting but also by invasive species such as rats, pigs, and monkeys that destroyed nests and competed for food.

Culturally, the dodo has taken on a life beyond biology. Thanks in part to Lewis Carroll’s *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland*, where the dodo appears as a whimsical character, the bird has become synonymous with obsolescence and foolishness. Phrases like “dead as a dodo” reflect outdated perceptions, though modern understanding recognizes the dodo not as foolish, but as a highly adapted island species undone by sudden ecological disruption.

Could De-Extinction Bring the Dodo Back?

The idea of bringing back the dodo falls under the emerging field of de-extinction, which aims to revive extinct species using advanced genetic techniques. The primary method involves sequencing the genome of the extinct animal and using gene-editing tools to insert key traits into the genome of a closely related living species.

In the case of the dodo, scientists have identified the Nicobar pigeon (*Caloenas nicobarica*) as its closest living relative. In 2022, researchers successfully sequenced the dodo’s genome using well-preserved specimens from museums, including a famous taxidermied head held at Oxford University. This milestone opened the door to comparative genomics, allowing scientists to identify genes responsible for flightlessness, body size, and other unique dodo traits.

However, having a genome sequence is just the first step. Turning that data into a living organism is vastly more complex. Scientists would need to edit the genome of a host species—likely a stem cell from a chicken or pigeon—and then use an artificial egg or surrogate to develop the embryo. No one has yet achieved this for any extinct bird, and significant technical, ethical, and ecological hurdles remain.

Current Projects and Scientific Progress

One of the leading organizations exploring avian de-extinction is Colossal Biosciences, known for its work on reviving the woolly mammoth. In early 2023, Colossal announced a new initiative focused on the passenger pigeon, another extinct bird, as a test case for bird resurrection. While the dodo is not their current target, the technologies developed for the passenger pigeon—such as primordial germ cell (PGC) editing and interspecies surrogacy—could eventually be applied to the dodo.

Dr. Beth Shapiro, a pioneering paleogeneticist and consultant for Colossal, has stated that while the dodo is genetically more accessible than some extinct species due to available specimens, the challenges of avian reproduction make it a difficult candidate. Birds lay hard-shelled eggs, making embryo manipulation far more complex than in mammals. Additionally, the developmental biology of birds is tightly regulated, leaving little room for error in gene editing.

Aspect	Status for Dodo De-Extinction
Genome Sequenced?	Yes (completed in 2022)
Closest Living Relative Identified?	Yes (Nicobar pigeon)
Gene Editing Attempted?	No
Surrogate Host Available?	Potential candidates exist, but untested
Estimated Timeline for Revival	Not applicable – decades away, if possible

Challenges in Bringing Back the Dodo

Even if scientists overcome the biological barriers, several major challenges stand in the way of a true dodo revival:

• Ecological Reintroduction: Mauritius has changed dramatically since the 17th century. Invasive species still dominate parts of the ecosystem, and habitat loss continues. Reintroducing a dodo without addressing these issues could lead to the same fate.
• Ethical Concerns: Critics argue that de-extinction diverts resources from conserving currently endangered species. Should we spend millions trying to revive a bird that went extinct centuries ago, when hundreds of species are dying out today?
• Genetic Authenticity: Any revived dodo would not be a 100% genetic match. It would be a hybrid—part dodo, part host species—raising questions about whether it’s truly the same animal.
• Animal Welfare: The process may involve numerous failed embryos, developmental abnormalities, and suffering for surrogate hosts.

What Would a 'New' Dodo Be Like?

If de-extinction succeeds, the resulting creature would likely be a dodo-like organism rather than a true replica. Scientists might recreate key physical and behavioral traits—flightlessness, large beak, ground-nesting behavior—but many aspects of dodo biology remain unknown. For example, we don’t fully understand its vocalizations, social structure, or diet composition.

Such a bird might serve as a flagship for conservation, drawing attention to the fragility of island ecosystems. Some envision a future where de-extinct species are used to restore lost ecological functions—a concept called trophic rewilding. In theory, a dodo-like bird could help disperse seeds of native plants on Mauritius, playing a role in forest regeneration.

How Close Are We to Seeing a Live Dodo?

Despite exciting progress, experts agree that a living dodo is **decades away**, if achievable at all. Unlike the woolly mammoth, which shares a close relative in the Asian elephant, the dodo’s lineage is more evolutionarily distant from any living bird capable of serving as a surrogate. Pigeons and chickens differ significantly in reproductive physiology, making embryo development a major bottleneck.

Furthermore, funding and public support are limited compared to high-profile mammalian projects. There is no official project dedicated solely to dodo resurrection, and no peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated successful gene editing toward that goal. While private companies and academic labs continue to explore the possibilities, the consensus is clear: the dodo is not coming back anytime soon.

Why the Question Matters: Conservation Lessons from the Dodo

The fascination with whether the dodo bird is coming back reflects deeper concerns about humanity’s impact on biodiversity. The dodo’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerability of isolated species and the speed at which extinction can occur. Today, over 1,400 bird species are threatened with extinction, many due to habitat destruction, climate change, and invasive species—echoes of what happened to the dodo.

Rather than focusing solely on reversing past extinctions, many conservationists advocate for protecting what remains. Initiatives like habitat restoration, invasive species removal, and community-based conservation in places like Mauritius offer real, immediate benefits. The Rodrigues solitaire, a close relative of the dodo, is extinct—but its story reinforces the importance of acting before it’s too late.

How to Stay Updated on De-Extinction Science

If you're interested in tracking progress on whether the dodo bird is coming back, follow reputable scientific sources:

• National Geographic – Regularly covers breakthroughs in genetics and conservation.
• Scientific American – Publishes expert analysis on de-extinction ethics and technology.
• Colossal Biosciences – Their website shares updates on avian and mammalian de-extinction projects.
• Peer-reviewed journals – Look for studies in Nature, Science, and Current Biology on ancient DNA and genome editing.

Be cautious of sensational headlines claiming “dodo revival imminent.” Most such stories exaggerate preliminary research. True scientific progress is slow, incremental, and subject to rigorous review.

Common Misconceptions About the Dodo’s Return

Several myths persist about the possibility of bringing back the dodo:

• Misconception: Scientists have already cloned a dodo.
  Reality: Cloning requires intact living cells, which do not exist for the dodo. Only fragmented DNA is available.
• Misconception: CRISPR can easily bring back any extinct animal.
  Reality: Gene editing is powerful but limited by our understanding of developmental biology and the complexity of whole-genome reconstruction.
• Misconception: A revived dodo would live in the wild immediately.
  Reality: Any resurrected species would require extensive testing, breeding programs, and habitat preparation before release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the dodo bird come back in 2030?

No, it is highly unlikely that the dodo will return by 2030. No active de-extinction program exists for the dodo, and the scientific hurdles are immense. Even optimistic estimates place such a feat decades in the future, if ever.

Can scientists clone the dodo bird?

No, cloning requires a complete and viable nucleus from a living cell, which does not exist for the dodo. Scientists are instead working on gene editing using fragments of ancient DNA, which is a different and much more complex process.

What animal is closest to the dodo?

The Nicobar pigeon is the dodo’s closest living relative. Genetic studies confirm this relationship, and it may serve as a genomic template or surrogate in future de-extinction efforts.

Why did the dodo go extinct?

The dodo went extinct due to a combination of overhunting by humans and the introduction of invasive species such as rats, pigs, and monkeys, which destroyed nests and competed for food. Its inability to fly made it especially vulnerable.

Could a revived dodo survive in the wild today?

Only if significant ecological restoration occurs on Mauritius. Invasive species control, habitat protection, and long-term monitoring would be essential to give a revived dodo population a chance at survival.