5 Things You Need to Know About the Return of the Dire Wolf

After more than 10,000 years of extinction, the dire wolf is back—thanks to cutting-edge science and a team of determined geneticists. Here’s what you need to know about this wild breakthrough.

1. Dire Wolves Are No Longer Just Legends

Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company specializing in de-extinction, has successfully brought three dire wolf pups into the world. Named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, these pups were born in late 2024 and early 2025 using groundbreaking genetic techniques.

2. This Wasn’t Simple Cloning

The dire wolf DNA came from fossils as old as 72,000 years. Scientists then used CRISPR to edit 14 key genes in modern gray wolves to recreate the look and traits of the extinct dire wolf—including size, skull shape, and coat color.

3. Domestic Dogs Helped Make It Happen

To carry the gene-edited embryos, Colossal used domestic dogs as surrogates. These surrogates successfully gave birth to pups with genetic profiles that closely resemble the long-extinct dire wolves.

4. There Are Big Ethical and Environmental Questions

Bringing back an extinct species raises more than just scientific curiosity. What are the risks to ecosystems? What’s the long-term plan for these animals? Colossal says the goal isn’t to “play God,” but to develop tools that can also help endangered species like the red wolf and the northern quoll.

5. More De-Extinction Projects Are Coming

Dire wolves are just the beginning. Colossal is also working on reviving the woolly mammoth and the Tasmanian tiger. The company hopes to have a woolly mammoth calf by 2028.

5 Things You Need to Know About the Return of the Dire Wolf  was originally published on roneb1057.staging.go.ione.nyc