MAURITIAN DODO

WHY IN NEWS?

Conservationists are  collaborating to reintroduce extinct dodo in its native habitat Mauritius

ABOUT

• Scientifically known as Raphus Cucullatus, the Dodo is a large flightless bird native to Mauritius in Indian Ocean

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• One meter tall
• Weighs 10 to 18 kgs
• Large beak stubby wings

 REASONS FOR EXTINCTION

• Hunting by humans
• Habitat destruction due to urbanization
• Competition from species like rats, monkeys etc.

 SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES INVOLVED

• Genome sequencing: Blueprinting dodo’s genome from museum species
• Gene editing: Editing primordial germ cells of Nicobar pigeons to get dodo’s genome
• Interspecies surrogacy: Inserting edited germ cells into Chicken embryo for surrogacy

 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

• Ecosystem restoration particularly in seed dispersal
• Development of conservation technology to aid conserving other endangered species
• Symbolic value for raising public awareness.