SCIENTISTS claim they are making “incredible progress” in their efforts to bring the dodo back from the dead.
The large, flightless bird was hurried Threatened with extinction on its native island of Mauritius 350 years ago.
But a genetic engineering company used DNA from a museum skull to completely sequence the species' genome.
It is now developing genetically modified chickens that can hopefully act as surrogate mothers to carry embryos.
US-based Colossal Biosciences has worked with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation to find a location for its return.
Dr. Beth Shapiro, member of the Colossal Scientific Advisory Board, said: “The Dodo is a great example of a species that became extinct because we – humans – made it impossible for them to survive in their native habitat.
“I have focused my entire career on genetic advances in ancient DNA and am the first to completely sequence the Dodo genome. I am pleased to be working with Colossal and the people of Mauritius on the extinction and eventual rewilding of the Dodo.
“I especially look forward to advancing genetic rescue tools focused on birds and bird conservation.”