A species of wolf that went extinct about 12,500 years ago has been brought back to life—at least partially—by scientists at Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company based in Dallas. The firm announced it had successfully created three dire wolf pups using ancient DNA, cloning, and gene-editing techniques.
The dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus), a prehistoric predator larger than today’s gray wolf, once roamed North America and was made iconic by its fictional counterpart in HBO’s Game of Thrones. According to Colossal, the newly born pups resemble their extinct ancestors in size and features, possessing wider heads, thicker white fur, and stronger jaws.
To achieve this scientific milestone, Colossal’s researchers extracted ancient DNA from two fossils—a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull. They then assembled high-quality genomes and compared them to those of living canids, such as wolves, jackals, and foxes. This allowed them to isolate and edit key genes associated with dire wolf traits.
Using CRISPR technology, scientists made 20 precise edits in 14 genes of gray wolf cells. The edited cells were cloned and transferred into donor eggs, which were then implanted in domestic dog surrogates. The result: two male pups born on October 1, 2024, and a female born on January 30, 2025.
The three wolves now reside at a secure and undisclosed 2,000-acre facility, monitored with drones, cameras, and 10-foot-tall zoo-grade fencing. The site has been certified by the American Humane Society and registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The extinct species
Colossal emphasizes that while the genome of these animals is 99.9% gray wolf, they carry and express dire wolf traits—raising philosophical questions about how much genetic change is required to define a species. According to evolutionary genomics expert Love Dalén, who advised on the project, the wolves represent a resurrection of the dire wolf phenotype, or observable traits.
Beyond resurrecting extinct species like the dire wolf, woolly mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger, Colossal is also applying its technology to support endangered animals. The company recently produced two litters of cloned red wolves—one of the most critically endangered canid species—using a gentler, less invasive cloning method developed during the dire wolf project.
We’re Colossal Biosciences, the de-extinction company responsible for bringing back the first animals from extinction. Our dire wolf pups, Romulus and Remus, were born on October 1, 2024. Watch these pups grow up on our YouTube channel. Link in bio.
These two wolves were… pic.twitter.com/hbk1wFQ3lf
— Colossal Biosciences® (@colossal) April 7, 2025
While some critics argue that de-extinction diverts funds from more urgent conservation efforts, others recognize Colossal’s efforts to prioritize animal welfare. Still, questions remain about the ecological role—if any—these recreated animals will play.
Experts caution that even if dire wolves could survive in modern habitats, practical and political barriers could prevent their reintroduction into the wild.
Source: Linda Ikeji
