Latest news with #Colossal
Int'l Business Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
Is Colossal Biosciences the Real-Life Jurassic Park?
Let's be honest. When you hear about a company actively working to bring back extinct animals using genetic science, your mind probably jumps to one place: Jurassic Park. The iconic gates, the majestic (and terrifying) dinosaurs, and the tagline that promised a walk with prehistory are permanently etched in our cultural DNA. And yes, on the surface, the celebrity loved Colossal Biosciences, with its sights set on the Woolly Mammoth, Tasmanian Tiger, and Dodo, shares that initial, breathtaking "wow" factor. As they did with the announcements of their Woolly Mouse and Dire Wolf, which dominated global headlines. They are, in essence, making the impossible possible, leveraging incredible scientific advancements to resurrect creatures lost to time. That shared ambition, the audacious reach into the past, is where the most compelling comparison begins and ends. While the premise might sound like a Spielberg pitch, the reality of Colossal Biosciences is entirely different. The crucial divergence lies in the "why." InGen built a theme park for profit and spectacle, with a famously cavalier attitude towards consequences. Colossal, however, frames its mission firmly within conservation and ecosystem restoration. Their goal isn't petting zoos filled with mammoths but reintroducing functionally equivalent animals to help repair damaged environments, like the Arctic tundra. The "how" of it is also vastly different. Jurassic Park relied on extracting complete dinosaur DNA from mosquitoes in ambera creative concept, but with significant scientific hurdles due to DNA degradation over millions of years. Colossal's approach involves using sophisticated gene-editing technology (like CRISPR) to introduce key traits of extinct animals into the genomes of their closest living relatives (for the mammoth, that's the Asian elephant). And then there are the animals themselves. While dinosaurs are undeniably awe-inspiring, Colossal focuses on species that disappeared much more recently, often due to human impact, and importantly, played vital roles in their ecosystems. Bringing back a mammoth isn't just a cool trick; it's theorized to help restore the Arctic grasslands and combat permafrost melt. Ultimately, while the ghost of Jurassic Park might linger in the public imagination whenever the topic of de-extinction is mentioned, Colossal Biosciences operates with a different purpose, a different scientific method, and a commitment to ethical considerations and transparency—a far cry from the profit-driven science run amok depicted on Isla Nublar. It taps into that same deep human fascination with lost worlds, but with its science fixed firmly on the future health of our planet.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
If it looks like a dire wolf, is it a dire wolf? How to define a species is a scientific and philosophical question
Biotech company Colossal Biosciences made headlines in April 2025 after claiming it had 'successfully restored … the dire wolf to its rightful place in the ecosystem.' Three wolf pups – Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi – were born through this de-extinction project. But behind the scenes lies a more complicated reality. What Colossal actually did was edit a small number of gray wolf genes, aiming to create physical traits that resemble those of the extinct dire wolf. The edited embryos were implanted into surrogate domestic dogs. Many scientists and reporters expressed skepticism about the claim that this amounts to restoring the dire wolf. Experts pointed out that tweaking a handful of genes does not replicate the full biological reality of a long-extinct species. Most of the dire wolf's genetic makeup remains unknown and unreplicated. This gap between appearance and biological identity raises a deeper question: What exactly is a species, and how do you decide whether something belongs to one species rather than another? Biologists call the answer a species concept – a theory about what a species is and how researchers sort organisms into different groups. As a philosopher of science who studies what defines a species, I can say this: Whether de-extinction projects succeed depends on which species concept you think is right – and the truth is, even scientists don't agree. When scientists talk about biodiversity – the variety of life-forms found in nature – species are the basic building blocks. A species is supposed to reflect a real division between distinct groups of organisms in the natural world, not just a convenient label. In classifying living things into species, scientists are trying to 'carve nature at its joints' to reflect real patterns shaped by evolution. Even so, deciding what counts as a species turns out to be surprisingly difficult and highly controversial. Scientists have proposed dozens of distinct species concepts – some scholars have counted over 32 ways to define a species – and each draws the lines a little differently. These definitions don't always agree on whether an organism is part of one species rather than another. Two of the most influential species concepts highlight the challenge. The biological species concept defines a species as a group of organisms that can naturally breed with each other and produce fertile offspring. Under this view, African forest elephants and African savanna elephants were once classified as the same species because they could mate and have young together, even though they lived in different habitats and looked different. Another approach, the phylogenetic species concept, emphasizes ancestry instead of breeding. A species, in this view, is a group that shares a unique evolutionary history, forming its own distinct branch on the tree of life. By this standard, researchers found that forest and savanna elephants had been genetically evolving separately for millions of years, long enough to be considered different species even if they could still interbreed. Understanding these different species concepts is crucial for evaluating claims about de-extinction. If Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi could naturally mate with historical dire wolves and produce fertile offspring, then they would be considered true dire wolves under the biological species concept. But for definitions of species that emphasize evolutionary history, such as the phylogenetic species concept, the lab-created wolves would not qualify as real dire wolves – even if they were indistinguishable from the originals – because they did not descend from historical dire wolves. Despite differences on how best to define species, there is a surprising degree of consensus among scientists and philosophers on one big idea: What makes something part of a species is not an internal feature, such as a specific set of genes, but a relationship to something else – to its environment, to other organisms, or to a shared evolutionary history. By this way of thinking – what is often called relationalism – there is no special 'lemon gene' that makes a lemon and no hidden genetic marker that automatically makes an animal a dire wolf. Commonly shared across all these theories is the notion that belonging to a particular species depends on connections and context, not on anything inside the organism itself. But what if that consensus is wrong? At first glance, the standard ways of defining a species seem to work well. But every now and then, nature throws a curveball – and even the most trusted definitions don't quite fit. Take the case of the blue-winged and golden-winged warblers. These two songbirds look and sound different. They wear different plumage, sing different songs and prefer different habitats. Birders and organizations such as the American Ornithological Society have always classified them as separate species. Yet under two of the most common scientific definitions of species, the biological and phylogenetic species concepts, blue-winged and golden-winged warblers are considered the same species. These birds regularly mate and produce young together. They've been swapping genes for thousands of years. And when scientists looked at their nuclear DNA – the genetic material tucked inside the nucleus of each cell – they found the two birds are 99.97% identical. This finding suggests that even careful, widely accepted species definitions can miss something important. So what if, instead, the key to being part of a species lies deep inside the organism, in the way its basic systems of life fit together? Recent work in biology and philosophy suggests another way of thinking about species that focuses on a hidden but vital system inside cells: the partnership between two sets of genetic material. I and my colleague Kyle B. Heine explore this idea by drawing on research in mitonuclear ecology – the study of how different parts of an organism's genetic material adapt and work together to produce energy. Virtually every cell contains two kinds of DNA. One set, stored in the nucleus, acts like an instruction manual that guides most of the cell's activities. The other, found in structures called mitochondria – the cell's energy centers – contains its own much smaller set of instructions geared toward supporting its unique role in keeping the cell running. Producing energy depends on precise teamwork between nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA, like two musicians playing in perfect harmony. Over millions of years, the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA of each species have evolved together to form a unique, finely tuned system. This insight has led to a new way of thinking about species, called the mitonuclear compatibility species concept. According to this idea, an organism belongs to a species if its two sets of genes – those in the nucleus and those in the mitochondria – are optimized to work together to generate life-sustaining energy. If the cellular partnership between these two genetic systems is mismatched, the organism may struggle to produce the energy it needs to survive, grow and reproduce. By this standard, different species aren't just defined by how they look or behave, but by whether their nuclear and mitochondrial genes form a uniquely coadapted team. For example, even though blue-winged and golden-winged warblers are nearly identical in their nuclear DNA, they differ by about 3% in their mitochondrial DNA – a clue that their energy systems are distinct. And that's exactly what the mitonuclear compatibility species concept predicts: They really are two separate species. Bringing back a species like the dire wolf isn't just a matter of getting the fur right or tweaking a few visible traits. According to my preferred species concept, even if a recreated animal looks the part, it won't truly be a dire wolf unless its inner genetic systems – the ones that power its cells – are finely tuned to work together, just as they were in the original species. That's a tall order. And without restoring the full inner machinery of the original species, any lab-grown look-alike would fall short. Understanding how scientists define species – and how those definitions shape the possibilities of de-extinction – offers more than just a lesson in biological bookkeeping. It shows that classification is not just about names or lineages, but about recognizing the deep biological patterns that sustain life, offering a deeper appreciation of what it really means to bring back the past. Reviving an extinct species isn't like assembling a model from spare parts. It means recreating a living, breathing system – one whose parts must work in concert, not just look the part. And that's why philosophy and science both matter here: To understand what we're bringing back, we must first understand what was truly lost. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Elay Shech, Auburn University Read more: Colors are objective, according to two philosophers − even though the blue you see doesn't match what I see Why is astronomy a science but astrology is not? Should we bring back the dodo? De-extinction is a feel-good story, but these high-tech replacements aren't really 'resurrecting' species Elay Shech does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
The Colossal Foundation Partners With the Samoa Conservation Society to Find the Critically Endangered Tooth-Billed Pigeon Through Advanced Bioacoustic Technologies
DALLAS, May 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Colossal Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of Colossal Biosciences, announced a collaboration with the environmental organization Samoa Conservation Society to locate and conserve the Critically Endangered tooth-billed pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris). The Foundation's AI team both created and provided a custom, advanced machine learning algorithm capable of detecting the unique calls of this Critically Endangered species, one of the dodo's closest living relatives, with 95% accuracy. The tooth-billed pigeon, also known as the "little dodo" or manumea, is endemic to Samoa, a small island in the South Pacific. Once numbering between 4,000-7,000 in the 1980s, the bird, with its large head and unique beak, has been pushed to the brink of extinction due to predation from invasive species, habitat loss, and human hunting. Experts estimate that less than 100 tooth-billed pigeons remain, and it is considered a "lost" species, since it was last photographed in 2013. The partnership, also in alliance with the IUCN SSC Pigeon and Dove Specialist Group and BirdLife International, has successfully confirmed the existence of the tooth-billed pigeon and aims to identify its location by using Colossal's AI bioacoustic tools. The goal is to capture live specimens to biobank, as well as assess the feasibility of establishing a captive breeding program as a safeguard against extinction in the wild. "The manumea is on the very brink of extinction, and the devastating impact of invasive species on this unique, native bird is sobering," said Joe Wood, Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Pigeon and Dove Specialist Group. "But there are glimmers of hope in the strength of the partnerships which have been forged and the dedication of the expert field team. We still have a chance to save these extraordinary creatures, and I have no doubt that technology being developed by Colossal will be critical, not just for the manumea, but for many other endangered birds globally." In a major breakthrough in bioacoustics, Colossal's AI team successfully trained its custom advanced machine learning algorithm to successfully recognize the pigeon's distinctive vocalizations, allowing scientists to locate a bird that no one has seen in over a decade. The few-shot bird call classifier software was based on a meager five minutes of manumea audio recordings. Colossal has open-sourced the algorithm, which accurately censuses and monitors bird populations, for other conservationists to use in the search for additional lost or elusive bird species. "Our active efforts to save the manumea have increased significantly with the help of Colossal's bioacoustic tools and the work they have accomplished thus far," said Moeumu Uili of Samoa Conservation Society. "Samoans hold the species in high regard and it is seen as a crucial symbol of natural heritage and a vital part of its ecosystem." Using Colossal's machine-learning pipeline, the Samoa Conservation Society will upload raw forest soundscapes allowing the algorithm to flag the manumea's signature calls and enabling field teams to triangulate detections, locate live birds, and capture them for biobanking efforts. Colossal's ongoing funding and AI expertise will propel detection to hands-on conservation. This same software platform is now being used by Colossal to analyze bioacoustics data from wolves in Yellowstone. "Colossal's AI capabilities have allowed us to successfully identify and recognize the tooth-billed pigeon's distinctive vocalizations and we can now track a species that hasn't been photographed in over 13 years," said Matt James, Executive Director of the Colossal Foundation. "We're excited to deploy additional monitoring systems in the field and see what this means for the future population of the species." Conserving the tooth-billed pigeon in Samoa is crucial for maintaining the island's ecosystem and biodiversity. The tooth-billed pigeon is unique for its distinctive bright red beak with tooth-like projections. As a primary seed disperser, the manumea plays a vital role in sustaining the native forest, as other birds cannot open and disperse the seeds of certain trees. Protecting this species also safeguards the island's cultural heritage, as the manumea is Samoa's national bird. "The AI, acoustics and sound classifications we're building at Colossal demonstrate the effectiveness of AI-powered bioacoustic technology in low-data scenarios," said CEO and co-founder of Colossal Biosciences Ben Lamm. "Our unique techniques have already helped in Samoa and will be applied to other endangered birds in other habitats. This has brought us closer to saving one of the world's closest living relatives to the dodo and ensuring the tooth-billed pigeon also doesn't go extinct." ABOUT THE COLOSSAL FOUNDATION The Colossal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting the use of cutting-edge technologies to conservation efforts globally to help prevent extinction of keystone species. The organization deploys cutting-edge de-extinction technologies and support to empower partners in the field to reverse the extinction crisis. ABOUT SAMOA CONSERVATION SOCIETY SCS is a local non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the conservation of Samoa's biological diversity and natural heritage. They work collaboratively with communities, the Government and partners to raise awareness on the state of Samoa's environment and the species within. They further work with schools and youth groups to educate them on the natural heritage that we are blessed with, and actions that can help in species and habitat recovery. ABOUT BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL BirdLife's mission is to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people toward sustainability in the use of natural resources. ABOUT IUCN SSC PIGEON AND DOVE SPECIALIST GROUP Key activities of the Specialist Group include collaborating with BirdLife International to assess and monitor the status of Columbiform species, working to raise the profile of threatened pigeons and doves, and convening expertise for conservation. This also entails facilitating communication between organizations involved in ex-situ and in-situ species programmes and between the scientific community and the holders of traditional ecological knowledge. We believe that this group has the potential to become a driving force for the conservation of Columbiformes worldwide, and are committed to growing a diverse network of people who will help us achieve this. WEBSITE & SOCIALS Website: Twitter: Instagram: LinkedIn: Facebook: View source version on Contacts COLOSSAL PRESS CONTACTS:R&CPMK /
Business Wire
29-05-2025
- Science
- Business Wire
The Colossal Foundation Partners With the Samoa Conservation Society to Find the Critically Endangered Tooth-Billed Pigeon Through Advanced Bioacoustic Technologies
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Colossal Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of Colossal Biosciences, announced a collaboration with the environmental organization Samoa Conservation Society to locate and conserve the Critically Endangered tooth-billed pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris). The Foundation's AI team both created and provided a custom, advanced machine learning algorithm capable of detecting the unique calls of this Critically Endangered species, one of the dodo's closest living relatives, with 95% accuracy. The tooth-billed pigeon, also known as the 'little dodo' or manumea, is endemic to Samoa, a small island in the South Pacific. Once numbering between 4,000-7,000 in the 1980s, the bird, with its large head and unique beak, has been pushed to the brink of extinction due to predation from invasive species, habitat loss, and human hunting. Experts estimate that less than 100 tooth-billed pigeons remain, and it is considered a 'lost' species, since it was last photographed in 2013. The partnership, also in alliance with the IUCN SSC Pigeon and Dove Specialist Group and BirdLife International, has successfully confirmed the existence of the tooth-billed pigeon and aims to identify its location by using Colossal's AI bioacoustic tools. The goal is to capture live specimens to biobank, as well as assess the feasibility of establishing a captive breeding program as a safeguard against extinction in the wild. 'The manumea is on the very brink of extinction, and the devastating impact of invasive species on this unique, native bird is sobering,' said Joe Wood, Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Pigeon and Dove Specialist Group. 'But there are glimmers of hope in the strength of the partnerships which have been forged and the dedication of the expert field team. We still have a chance to save these extraordinary creatures, and I have no doubt that technology being developed by Colossal will be critical, not just for the manumea, but for many other endangered birds globally." In a major breakthrough in bioacoustics, Colossal's AI team successfully trained its custom advanced machine learning algorithm to successfully recognize the pigeon's distinctive vocalizations, allowing scientists to locate a bird that no one has seen in over a decade. The few-shot bird call classifier software was based on a meager five minutes of manumea audio recordings. Colossal has open-sourced the algorithm, which accurately censuses and monitors bird populations, for other conservationists to use in the search for additional lost or elusive bird species. 'Our active efforts to save the manumea have increased significantly with the help of Colossal's bioacoustic tools and the work they have accomplished thus far,' said Moeumu Uili of Samoa Conservation Society. 'Samoans hold the species in high regard and it is seen as a crucial symbol of natural heritage and a vital part of its ecosystem.' Using Colossal's machine-learning pipeline, the Samoa Conservation Society will upload raw forest soundscapes allowing the algorithm to flag the manumea's signature calls and enabling field teams to triangulate detections, locate live birds, and capture them for biobanking efforts. Colossal's ongoing funding and AI expertise will propel detection to hands-on conservation. This same software platform is now being used by Colossal to analyze bioacoustics data from wolves in Yellowstone. "Colossal's AI capabilities have allowed us to successfully identify and recognize the tooth-billed pigeon's distinctive vocalizations and we can now track a species that hasn't been photographed in over 13 years," said Matt James, Executive Director of the Colossal Foundation. 'We're excited to deploy additional monitoring systems in the field and see what this means for the future population of the species.' Conserving the tooth-billed pigeon in Samoa is crucial for maintaining the island's ecosystem and biodiversity. The tooth-billed pigeon is unique for its distinctive bright red beak with tooth-like projections. As a primary seed disperser, the manumea plays a vital role in sustaining the native forest, as other birds cannot open and disperse the seeds of certain trees. Protecting this species also safeguards the island's cultural heritage, as the manumea is Samoa's national bird. 'The AI, acoustics and sound classifications we're building at Colossal demonstrate the effectiveness of AI-powered bioacoustic technology in low-data scenarios," said CEO and co-founder of Colossal Biosciences Ben Lamm. 'Our unique techniques have already helped in Samoa and will be applied to other endangered birds in other habitats. This has brought us closer to saving one of the world's closest living relatives to the dodo and ensuring the tooth-billed pigeon also doesn't go extinct.' The Colossal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting the use of cutting-edge technologies to conservation efforts globally to help prevent extinction of keystone species. The organization deploys cutting-edge de-extinction technologies and support to empower partners in the field to reverse the extinction crisis. SCS is a local non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the conservation of Samoa's biological diversity and natural heritage. They work collaboratively with communities, the Government and partners to raise awareness on the state of Samoa's environment and the species within. They further work with schools and youth groups to educate them on the natural heritage that we are blessed with, and actions that can help in species and habitat recovery. BirdLife's mission is to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people toward sustainability in the use of natural resources. ABOUT IUCN SSC PIGEON AND DOVE SPECIALIST GROUP Key activities of the Specialist Group include collaborating with BirdLife International to assess and monitor the status of Columbiform species, working to raise the profile of threatened pigeons and doves, and convening expertise for conservation. This also entails facilitating communication between organizations involved in ex-situ and in-situ species programmes and between the scientific community and the holders of traditional ecological knowledge. We believe that this group has the potential to become a driving force for the conservation of Columbiformes worldwide, and are committed to growing a diverse network of people who will help us achieve this. WEBSITE & SOCIALS
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
The Colossal Foundation Partners With the Samoa Conservation Society to Find the Critically Endangered Tooth-Billed Pigeon Through Advanced Bioacoustic Technologies
DALLAS, May 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Colossal Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of Colossal Biosciences, announced a collaboration with the environmental organization Samoa Conservation Society to locate and conserve the Critically Endangered tooth-billed pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris). The Foundation's AI team both created and provided a custom, advanced machine learning algorithm capable of detecting the unique calls of this Critically Endangered species, one of the dodo's closest living relatives, with 95% accuracy. The tooth-billed pigeon, also known as the "little dodo" or manumea, is endemic to Samoa, a small island in the South Pacific. Once numbering between 4,000-7,000 in the 1980s, the bird, with its large head and unique beak, has been pushed to the brink of extinction due to predation from invasive species, habitat loss, and human hunting. Experts estimate that less than 100 tooth-billed pigeons remain, and it is considered a "lost" species, since it was last photographed in 2013. The partnership, also in alliance with the IUCN SSC Pigeon and Dove Specialist Group and BirdLife International, has successfully confirmed the existence of the tooth-billed pigeon and aims to identify its location by using Colossal's AI bioacoustic tools. The goal is to capture live specimens to biobank, as well as assess the feasibility of establishing a captive breeding program as a safeguard against extinction in the wild. "The manumea is on the very brink of extinction, and the devastating impact of invasive species on this unique, native bird is sobering," said Joe Wood, Co-Chair of the IUCN SSC Pigeon and Dove Specialist Group. "But there are glimmers of hope in the strength of the partnerships which have been forged and the dedication of the expert field team. We still have a chance to save these extraordinary creatures, and I have no doubt that technology being developed by Colossal will be critical, not just for the manumea, but for many other endangered birds globally." In a major breakthrough in bioacoustics, Colossal's AI team successfully trained its custom advanced machine learning algorithm to successfully recognize the pigeon's distinctive vocalizations, allowing scientists to locate a bird that no one has seen in over a decade. The few-shot bird call classifier software was based on a meager five minutes of manumea audio recordings. Colossal has open-sourced the algorithm, which accurately censuses and monitors bird populations, for other conservationists to use in the search for additional lost or elusive bird species. "Our active efforts to save the manumea have increased significantly with the help of Colossal's bioacoustic tools and the work they have accomplished thus far," said Moeumu Uili of Samoa Conservation Society. "Samoans hold the species in high regard and it is seen as a crucial symbol of natural heritage and a vital part of its ecosystem." Using Colossal's machine-learning pipeline, the Samoa Conservation Society will upload raw forest soundscapes allowing the algorithm to flag the manumea's signature calls and enabling field teams to triangulate detections, locate live birds, and capture them for biobanking efforts. Colossal's ongoing funding and AI expertise will propel detection to hands-on conservation. This same software platform is now being used by Colossal to analyze bioacoustics data from wolves in Yellowstone. "Colossal's AI capabilities have allowed us to successfully identify and recognize the tooth-billed pigeon's distinctive vocalizations and we can now track a species that hasn't been photographed in over 13 years," said Matt James, Executive Director of the Colossal Foundation. "We're excited to deploy additional monitoring systems in the field and see what this means for the future population of the species." Conserving the tooth-billed pigeon in Samoa is crucial for maintaining the island's ecosystem and biodiversity. The tooth-billed pigeon is unique for its distinctive bright red beak with tooth-like projections. As a primary seed disperser, the manumea plays a vital role in sustaining the native forest, as other birds cannot open and disperse the seeds of certain trees. Protecting this species also safeguards the island's cultural heritage, as the manumea is Samoa's national bird. "The AI, acoustics and sound classifications we're building at Colossal demonstrate the effectiveness of AI-powered bioacoustic technology in low-data scenarios," said CEO and co-founder of Colossal Biosciences Ben Lamm. "Our unique techniques have already helped in Samoa and will be applied to other endangered birds in other habitats. This has brought us closer to saving one of the world's closest living relatives to the dodo and ensuring the tooth-billed pigeon also doesn't go extinct." ABOUT THE COLOSSAL FOUNDATION The Colossal Foundation is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting the use of cutting-edge technologies to conservation efforts globally to help prevent extinction of keystone species. The organization deploys cutting-edge de-extinction technologies and support to empower partners in the field to reverse the extinction crisis. ABOUT SAMOA CONSERVATION SOCIETY SCS is a local non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the conservation of Samoa's biological diversity and natural heritage. They work collaboratively with communities, the Government and partners to raise awareness on the state of Samoa's environment and the species within. They further work with schools and youth groups to educate them on the natural heritage that we are blessed with, and actions that can help in species and habitat recovery. ABOUT BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL BirdLife's mission is to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people toward sustainability in the use of natural resources. ABOUT IUCN SSC PIGEON AND DOVE SPECIALIST GROUP Key activities of the Specialist Group include collaborating with BirdLife International to assess and monitor the status of Columbiform species, working to raise the profile of threatened pigeons and doves, and convening expertise for conservation. This also entails facilitating communication between organizations involved in ex-situ and in-situ species programmes and between the scientific community and the holders of traditional ecological knowledge. We believe that this group has the potential to become a driving force for the conservation of Columbiformes worldwide, and are committed to growing a diverse network of people who will help us achieve this. WEBSITE & SOCIALS Website: Twitter: Instagram: LinkedIn: Facebook: View source version on Contacts COLOSSAL PRESS CONTACTS:R&CPMK / Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
