Heavy-footed moa (SciiFii)

The heavy-footed moa (Pachyornis elephantopus) is a species of moa from the family Dinornithidae and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the South Island of New Zealand to help boost biodiversity. The heavy-footed moa's natural habitat includes the lowlands (shrublands, dunelands, grasslands, and forests). It is a ratite and a member of the order Struthioniformes. The Struthioniformes are flightless birds with a sternum without a keel. They also have a distinctive palate. The origin of these birds is believed to be that early ancestors of these birds were able to fly and flew to the southern areas in which they have been found. The heavy-footed moa is about 1.8 m (5.9 ft) tall, and weigh about as much as 145 kg (320 lb). It is a primarily lowland species, preferring dry and open habitats such as grasslands, shrublands and dry forests. The heavy-footed moas are absent from sub-alpine and mountain habitats, where they are replaced by the crested moa (Pachyornis australis). The conservation status of the heavy-footed moa is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the heavy-footed moa's wide natural range and its tolerance to most of the human activities.