"Science Revives Extinct Dire Wolves"

Bringing a super-sized canine back from extinction after 12,500 years might sound like the plot of a thrilling movie complete with special effects, but it's now a reality. The world is home to three dire wolves, residing in a secret location in the US, thanks to the innovative efforts of the biotech company Colossal Biosciences.

Romulus and Remus at three months old

Colossal Biosciences harnessed the DNA of the common gray wolf, utilized gene-editing techniques, and employed domestic dog surrogates to bring to life Romulus, Remus, and their younger sister, Khaleesi. These majestic creatures embody the vision of a mother of dragons—enormous, white, and simply 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,” stated 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 old

Colossal Biosciences isn't new to making headlines. They previously created a Colossal Woolly Mouse, resembling a mammoth phenotype, using computational analysis of 59 woolly, Columbian, and steppe mammoth genomes spanning from 3,500 to over 1,200,000 years old. Critics argue that the dire wolves are essentially normal wolves in elaborate costumes, suggesting that the available dire wolf DNA isn't sufficient to produce a true genetic clone.

However, the company's mission extends beyond creating a social media sensation or owning unique pets. Colossal Biosciences aims to leverage its findings to aid in the conservation of 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,” remarked 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.”

These dire wolves are cared for at a 2,000+ acre preserve, vetted by the American Humane Society and the USDA, where they live with a dedicated team ensuring their well-being.