Science Revives Extinct Dire Wolves

Bringing a super-sized canine back from extinction after 12,500 years sounds like the plot of a thrilling movie filled with special effects, but it's become a reality thanks to the efforts of Colossal Biosciences. This biotech company has successfully reintroduced three dire wolves into the world, who now reside in a secret location within the US.

Romulus and Remus at three months oldThe masterminds behind this project are the team at Colossal Biosciences, who combined the DNA of the common gray wolf with gene-editing techniques and used domestic dog surrogates to bring Romulus, Remus, and their younger sister Khaleesi into existence. These majestic creatures are everything a fan of epic tales could dream of: huge, white, and awe-inspiring.

“I could not be more proud of the team. This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works,” said Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal.

“Our team took DNA from a 13,000 year old tooth and a 72,000 year old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies. It was once said, ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ Today, our team gets to unveil some of the magic they are working on and its broader impact on conservation.”

Romulus and Remus at one month oldColossal Biosciences isn't new to making headlines; they previously engineered a Colossal Woolly Mouse, resembling a mammoth, by analyzing 59 woolly, Columbian, and steppe mammoth genomes spanning from 3,500 to over 1,200,000 years old. Despite their achievements, critics argue that the dire wolves are more akin to normal wolves in fancy dress, suggesting that the existing dire wolf DNA isn't sufficient for a true genetic clone.

The company's mission extends beyond creating social media sensations or owning extraordinary pets. Colossal Biosciences aims to apply their findings to preserve current species for future generations.

“The de-extinction of the dire wolf and an end-to-end system for de-extinction is transformative and heralds an entirely new era of human stewardship of life,” said Dr. Christopher Mason, a scientific advisor and member of the board of observers for Colossal.

“The same technologies that created the dire wolf can directly help save a variety of other endangered animals as well. This is an extraordinary technological leap in genetic engineering efforts for both science and for conservation as well as preservation of life, and a wonderful example of the power of biotechnology to protect species, both extant and extinct.”

For the dire wolves, Colossal Biosciences has collaborated with the American Humane Society and the USDA to ensure their 2,000+ acre preserve is up to standard. These wolves, like any celebrities, are well-cared for by a dedicated team of staff.