Colossal secured one of the world’s few surviving moa eggs and will entrust it to New Zealand-based moa de-extinction program partners, to ensure the egg returns to its rightful land and people.

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand and DALLAS, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Colossal Biosciences, the world’s first de-extinction company, today announced that it has acquired a rare giant moa egg from a private collection in the United States for the sole purpose of returning it to Aotearoa (New Zealand). Colossal plans to present the egg to Professor Te Maire Tau (Ūpoko of Ngāi Tūāhuriri, a hapu of Ngāi Tahu), a distinguished Māori historian, academic leader, and tribal leader in New Zealand based in the Tuahiwi region of Canterbury, South Island. Dr. Te Maire Tau balances roles across academia, tribal governance, and community leadership.

According to auction records, the egg was discovered in New Zealand on January 14, 1966, and remained in a private American collection for approximately six decades before Colossal purchased it from Artemis Gallery in Louisville, Colorado, on June 12, 2026, when it resurfaced in the public auction. Auction records indicate that the egg may have originated from a human burial site dating to the Moa Hunter period, around AD 1300, although further research will be required to confirm its provenance.

Fewer than 40 sufficiently complete moa eggs are known in public collections worldwide, and only eight retain at least 90 percent of their original shell. Measuring approximately 22 by 17 centimeters, the newly documented egg has been reconstructed from numerous fragments, with additional pieces still to be reattached. Expert conservation and non-destructive analysis could help establish its species, geographic origin and place among the best-preserved known moa eggs once returned to New Zealand. Colossal has made plans to return the egg physically back to New Zealand via private transport to ensure the highest level of safety for the precious artifact and will hold a repatriation ceremony in December.

A Taonga Returns to its Rightful Home

Moa were flightless birds that lived only in New Zealand. Nine species of moa were native on the islands when the first polynesians settled on the islands between 1250 and 1300 CE. The nine moa species ranged from turkey-sized to the South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus), which stood up to 3.6 meters tall with its neck outstretched and weighed approximately 230 kilograms. Moa went extinct roughly 600 years ago, within two centuries of Polynesian settlement. For Ngāi Tahu, whose earliest ancestors lived alongside moa in Te Waipounamu, the South Island, the birds are recorded in archaeology and in oral tradition, and their remains are taonga: treasured objects that carry the history of the land and its people.

While thousands of moa bones have been recovered from swamps, caves, and dune sites across New Zealand, whole eggs are scarce. Moa eggshell is thin, in most cases under two millimeters, and rarely survives intact. Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, describes its own moa egg as one of only 36 mostly intact moa eggs in the world, expanding a 2005 survey by ornithologist Brian Gill that counted 33 moa eggs complete enough to be measured. According to Gill’s survey, all known moa eggs are in public collections: four at the Natural History Museum in London and the remainder in eight New Zealand museums and research collections.

The giant moa egg, which is not one of those counted above, measures approximately 22 by 17 centimeters, which is about 1.5 times longer than and nearly double the volume of an ostrich egg. The giant moa egg has been reconstructed from many fragments, with further fragments still to be reattached under the approval and guidance of Ngāi Tahu researchers.

“When we launched the moa program we made a clear commitment that indigenous leadership would guide the science and every decision surrounding the project. Securing and transporting this egg back to its rightful home is just part of that commitment. Regardless of when and how it left the country, we strongly feel all recognizable moa bones and remains as well as any other New Zealand artifacts should be returned to the country and its people. To quote Indiana Jones, “it belongs in a museum,” a museum in Aotearoa, under the care of the people whose ancestors lived alongside these extraordinary birds. We are honored to help return it home.” said Ben Lamm, CEO and Co-Founder of Colossal.

Under New Zealand’s Protected Objects Act 1975, intact moa remains are protected objects that cannot be exported without permission from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. This egg left the country before that law was in force. After discovering the egg listed for auction, Colossal immediately acted to procure it so as to ensure its safe return home to be cared for under the direction of the Ngāi Tahu.

“Every New Zealander grows up knowing the moa and feeling its loss,” said Sir Peter Jackson. “Whenever I’ve been walking deep in the New Zealand bush, I can’t help but keep looking into the thick forest, hoping for a glimpse of the mythic “last Moa” – an amazing bird that sadly no longer exists, no matter how hard you look … and hope. When we learned that this exceptionally rare Moa egg was being sold outside of New Zealand, we spoke to Colossal, who not only offered to rescue it at their own considerable expense – but to also fly it privately to New Zealand, so it returns home safely. After expert restoration, it will very likely become only the ninth known nearly intact moa egg—probably one of the five best-preserved examples. More importantly, working with Colossal, and under Ngāi Tahu’s guidance, we can return this culturally significant taonga to its rightful custodians, advance research into the Moa, and connect future generations with Aotearoa’s extraordinary cultural and natural history. I’m delighted this treasure will now be in the care of Ngāi Tahu.”

The Egg, the Science and the Partnership

Established in 2025 as a joint initiative between Colossal, the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, Sir Peter Jackson and the Canterbury Museum, research partners direct and guide the development of the moa de-extinction program. The partnership aims to bring together Colossal’s genomic and reproductive technologies with the mātauranga of Ngāi Tahu research leaders, and other experts within New Zealand.

Since the program was announced, the teams have made significant progress. Scientists have joined Ngāi Tahu archaeologist Kyle Davis at cave and subfossil sites across Te Waipounamu to observe and collect samples that will be needed to sequence the genomes of multiple moa species. In May 2026, Colossal also hatched healthy chicks using a shell-less artificial incubation system designed to eventually support eggs approaching the size of a moa’s.

“In fieldwork and research undertaken across Te Waipounamu, we’ve often worked with fragments of bone and eggshell that help us reconstruct the story of moa and the people who lived alongside them,” said Kyle Davis, a Ngāi Tahu archaeologist and expert in cultural heritage. “To see an egg of this rarity return to Te Waipounamu is extraordinary. It carries information about the moa species that birthed it, the landscape it came from and potentially the people connected to it. Most importantly, it will now be cared for and further researched in collaboration with Ngāi Tahu researchers, where decisions about its future can be guided by tikanga and grounded in the place to which it belongs.”

Moa eggshell has long been an important source of information for scientists. Published research has recovered ancient DNA from moa eggshell fragments, for example, an eggshell structure and thickness has helped researchers understand how moa nested and incubated their eggs. Future scientific study in New Zealand of the returned egg could include non-destructive imaging or sampling for DNA and/or isotopes to confirm the species and geographic origin of the egg. Whether and when to take on this work will be decided by the Ngāi Tahu in accordance with tikanga.

“Fewer than forty whole moa eggs are known, and each one holds information we can get nowhere else – sometimes even their DNA. An egg like this belongs in Aotearoa, in the hands of the people and institutions who study and care for moa, and not in a private collection. That is how we work across the whole moa program: in partnership with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre and Canterbury Museum, ensuring that every result we generate is returned to New Zealand,” said Beth Shapiro, PhD, Colossal’s Chief Science Officer.

Presentation at SAPE 2026 in Ōtautahi Christchurch

The repatriation announcement will be the opening day of the 11th International Meeting of the Society of Avian Palaeontology and Evolution, which runs from October 19 to 23 at the Christchurch Town Hall in Ōtautahi Christchurch. The day opens with a pōwhiri, a formal Māori welcome. The meeting’s organizing committee includes Dr. Paul Scofield, Senior Curator Natural History at Canterbury Museum and a collaborating scientist on the moa program, together with colleagues from the University of Canterbury and Flinders University.

“It is especially fitting to announce the return of this remarkable egg at our conference with the world’s leading experts on ancient birds gathered here in Ōtautahi Christchurch,” said Dr. Paul Scofield, Senior Curator of Natural History at Canterbury Museum and collaborating scientist on the moa program. “Moa are central to the natural and cultural history of Aotearoa, and this egg has far greater scientific and cultural value here than it could ever have in a private collection overseas. Its homecoming will create new opportunities for research while ensuring that this extraordinary taonga is cared for in the land—and by the people—to which it belongs.”

Colossal’s commitment to New Zealand extends beyond the moa. Through its partnership with the Ngāi Tahu researchers and other New Zealand-based experts, the company has committed to open-sourcing the technologies it develops for conservation under guidance of partners, with aims which include biobanking taonga species across the Ngāi Tahu takiwā, to educational programs for Ngāi Tahu rangatahi and kiwi youth, and to building conservation biotechnology capability within Te Waipounamu towards the future establishment of Colossal Laboratories in New Zealand.

ABOUT COLOSSAL

Colossal was founded by emerging technology and software entrepreneur Ben Lamm and world-renowned geneticist and serial biotech entrepreneur George Church, Ph.D., and is the first to apply CRISPR technology for the purposes of species de-extinction. Colossal creates innovative technologies for species restoration, critically endangered species protection, and the repopulation of critical ecosystems that support the continuation of life on Earth. To follow along, please visit: www.colossal.com.

WEBSITE & SOCIALS
Websites: www.colossal.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colossal/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@colossal
Twitter: https://x.com/colossal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/colossal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itiscolossal
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colossal
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/itiscolossal.bsky.social

COLOSSAL PRESS CONTACT: Emily@Colossal.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/colossal-to-repatriate-rare-moa-egg-to-aotearoa-new-zealand-302913296.html

SOURCE Colossal Biosciences Inc.

GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As climate change and sustainable development continue to shape the global agenda, China is reinforcing its commitment through both policy support and technological innovation. Exports of major green products, including electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and wind turbines and related components, increased by 72.3%, 36.4% and 22.4%, respectively, during the first three quarters of 2026.

As one of the world’s largest trade platforms, the Canton Fair has become an important channel connecting green technology providers with buyers worldwide. At the 140th Canton Fair, green and low-carbon products accounted for a record 26% of all exhibits.

Green Innovation Expands Across Multiple Industries

Green innovation is extending across energy, mobility, manufacturing and agriculture. In the new energy sector, residential PV system drew significant attention. The system combines solar panels, inverters and energy storage into a single solution. Delivering conversion efficiency of up to 23.88%, it helps households generate and store clean energy while reducing reliance on conventional power sources.

Industrial sustainability was another key theme. High-efficiency motors and drive systems certified to top energy-efficiency standards can help manufacturers reduce power consumption, while advanced laser processing equipment minimizes both energy use and material waste.

In agriculture, hybrid cotton harvesters and intelligent tractors achieve fuel savings above 30%, demonstrating how green technologies are transforming traditional industries.

Technology Creates New Possibilities for a Sustainable Future

Beyond transportation and manufacturing, exhibitors also showcased innovative solutions addressing global resource challenges.

One example is a containerized renewable-energy desalination system designed for islands, offshore resorts, drilling platforms and water-scarce coastal regions. Integrating wind power, solar generation, energy storage, microgrid control and seawater desalination technologies, the system can operate with 24-hour self-supplied renewable energy. Compared with conventional solutions, it reduces carbon emissions by up to 80% while offering fast deployment through its modular design.

Through continuous innovation and practical applications, Chinese companies are providing scalable solutions that support global decarbonization efforts and contribute to a more sustainable future.

For more convenient attendance, please click here for pre-registration:

https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/140th-canton-fair-green-innovation-drives-chinas-contribution-to-a-low-carbon-future-302912460.html

SOURCE Canton Fair

2026 Market Influence Report finds AI is influencing B2B vendor selection before buyers ever contact sales

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Force4, a leader in B2B technology public relations for the AI discovery era, today released “The 2026 Market Influence Report,” revealing that 84% of sources cited by AI systems in vendor research come from earned media. These findings highlight the growing role of third-party credibility in how AI systems shape B2B buying decisions.

The report synthesizes findings from more than 50 sources published in 2025 and 2026, including original buyer surveys, large-scale platform data analyses, and proprietary datasets. It uncovers significant changes in the B2B buyer journey: AI systems now construct a picture of the vendor landscape before buyers visit a single company website, make a sales inquiry, or attend a demonstration. In this report, “AI citations” refers to third-party sources referenced or surfaced by ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini in response to vendor and category research queries.

Key findings:

51% of B2B software buyers begin their research inside an AI chatbot rather than a search engine, up from 29% in April 2025, according to a 2026 G2 survey signaling a rapid shift in where vendor discovery begins.69% of B2B buyers say AI guidance has changed their intended vendor choice, while 33% have purchased from a vendor they had never heard of before AI introduced them, according to G2’s 2026 research.84% of AI-cited sources trace back to earned media, according to Muck Rack’s May 2026 What Is AI Reading? report, which analyzed more than 25 million links from ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini responses across 17 industries. Just 0.3% came from paid or advertorial content. The pattern has held consistent across three editions of the study dating back to July 2025. For B2B buyers increasingly turning to AI for vendor research, third-party credibility is the primary currency of visibility.Business decision-makers rate AI-generated answers 10% more believable than the general population, according to a study by Burson/Profound suggesting that AI-generated recommendations can carry significant weight with the people making technology purchasing decisions.Only 16% of brands currently track AI search performance systematically, according to McKinsey’s report: “New front door to the internet: Winning in the age of AI search,” leaving most companies with limited visibility into how AI systems represent them to prospective buyers.

Cara Sloman, CEO, Force4, said: “For decades, companies have optimized for the moment a buyer arrives on their website or talks to sales. AI is moving that decision point upstream. The question for B2B tech vendors has become whether AI systems can find credible evidence that the company belongs in the conversation in the first place.”

The report introduces the Force4 Market Influence Framework, a five-part system for strengthening the signals AI systems use to understand and evaluate a company. Force4 calls the interconnected network of positioning, earned media, analyst validation, customer proof and executive visibility that shapes how AI systems understand a company “Interpretation Infrastructure.”

The 2026 Market Influence Report is available at https://force4.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Force4_2026_Market_Influence_Report.pdf.

About Force4:

Force4 Technology Communications is a marketing communications and PR agency serving B2B technology companies of all sizes across the globe. For more information, visit www.force4.co.

Contact:

info@force4.co

Media Contact

info@force4.co, Force4 Technology Communications, 1 831-854-3901, info@force4.co, www.force4.co

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/new-force4-report-finds-84-of-ai-citations-come-from-earned-media-as-ai-reshapes-b2b-vendor-selection-302912286.html

SOURCE Force4 Technology Communications