A species of wolf that disappeared about 12,500 years ago has been brought back to life by scientists at Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company based in Dallas. They announced that they created three dire wolf puppies, making it the world’s first successfully de-extincted animal.
Using advanced technology, including cloning and gene editing, the team borrowed DNA from ancient dire wolf fossils. By modifying the DNA of a gray wolf, which is the dire wolf’s closest relative, they successfully produced a hybrid that resembles the long-lost dire wolf.
The dire wolf, marked scientifically as Aenocyon dirus, once roamed North America and was a formidable predator. It was larger than modern gray wolves and had unique features like a broader head and thicker fur. These wolves were popularized in recent years through the HBO show “Game of Thrones,” where they were depicted as fierce companions.
Colossal Biosciences has been aiming to revive several extinct species since 2021, including the mammoth and dodo, but this is the first time they’ve reported on the dire wolves. Co-founder Ben Lamm shared that this achievement shows their technology for de-extinction is working. “We took DNA from ancient fossils and created healthy puppies,” he said.
Currently, these dire wolf pups are kept safe in a secure area, monitored using drones and cameras. The facility is 2,000 acres and complies with standards from the American Humane Society and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
To recreate the dire wolf, scientists used advanced genetic techniques. They analyzed two dire wolf fossils to assemble their genetic data. This was compared to the DNA of modern canids, like wolves and foxes, helping identify traits unique to dire wolves. After editing the gray wolf cells with CRISPR technology, 20 changes were made across 14 genes. Then, these edited cells were cloned and given to surrogate mothers, leading to successful pregnancies.
Two male pups were born on October 1, 2024, and a female pup followed on January 30, 2025. Love Dalén, an expert in evolutionary genomics and an adviser to Colossal, noted that while these pups carry predominantly gray wolf DNA (99.9%), they also exhibit traits of dire wolves. He remarked that this work represents a significant advance in genetics.
Colossal has raised around $435 million since its founding, with ambitious plans that extend to cloning endangered species as well. They recently produced litters of cloned red wolves, which are critically endangered. This indicates their techniques could potentially aid in conservation efforts.
However, the project is not without controversy. Some critics argue that vast resources could be better allocated to protect living species rather than reviving those long gone. Christopher Preston, an environmental philosophy professor, noted that, while Colossal is being cautious with animal welfare, the practical impact of these new creations in today’s ecosystem is questionable. The presence of dire wolves in a modern environment, particularly where gray wolves struggle, raises important ethical and ecological questions.
This delicate balance of science, ethics, and conservation continues to spark debate within the scientific community and among the public, highlighting the complexities involved in such groundbreaking endeavors.
For more information about the dire wolf and how it has been brought back, you can check out resources from the American Humane Society or detailed reports on CRISPR and genetic cloning from trusted scientific sources.
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