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Dire Wolves Return: Dallas Biotech Company Revives Extinct Ice Age Predator
Once thought to be gone forever, the legendary dire wolf has been brought back to life—at least in a new, genetically engineered form.
Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas-based biotechnology company, has announced the birth of three wolf pups created using advanced genetic techniques. These pups—named Romulus, Remus, and Kaleesi—represent the company’s first successful attempt at reviving the extinct dire wolf species (Aenocyon dirus), which roamed North America during the Ice Age.
This achievement is being hailed as a breakthrough in the field of de-extinction, the science of bringing back species that have vanished from the Earth.
“On October 1, 2024, for the first time in human history, Colossal successfully restored a once-eradicated species through the science of de-extinction,” the company said in an official press release.
What Are Dire Wolves?
Dire wolves were powerful predators that lived over 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. They were larger and heavier than modern grey wolves and are believed to have hunted in packs. Their fossils have been found all over North America, especially at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
Though they went extinct roughly 9,500 years ago, dire wolves became pop culture icons thanks to their fictionalized appearance in Game of Thrones, where they served as mythical protectors of the Stark family.
How Scientists Brought Them Back
Colossal’s scientists used CRISPR gene editing technology and other advanced tools to insert dire wolf DNA into embryos of grey wolves. While these pups are not exact genetic copies of the original dire wolves, they share many similar traits in size, structure, and behavior.
The result: three healthy pups born on October 1, 2024. According to Colossal, these animals mark the first successful “de-extinction” of a large mammal.
The company has been working on genetic resurrection projects for several years. In addition to the dire wolf, Colossal is also focused on bringing back the woolly mammoth and the Tasmanian tiger, both of which have been extinct for decades or even millennia.
Why Bring Back Extinct Animals?
Colossal Biosciences believes that reviving extinct species could help restore ecosystems, advance conservation science, and even help protect endangered animals.
However, critics argue that de-extinction raises serious ethical questions. Some scientists worry about the environmental impact, animal welfare concerns, and the use of funding that could otherwise go toward protecting currently endangered species.
Despite the concerns, Colossal says the dire wolf project is a step toward repairing ecological damage caused by human activity and mass extinctions.
What’s Next?
With Romulus, Remus, and Kaleesi healthy and growing, Colossal is planning further research and monitoring to study the behavior, health, and environmental adaptability of the animals. If successful, this could lead to a larger breeding program—and possibly the return of other long-lost species in the near future.
This achievement marks a major turning point in genetic science, and it could reshape how we think about extinction, conservation, and the future of wildlife.
