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De-extinct Dire Wolf Pups Created by Colossal Biosciences: In a groundbreaking achievement for genetic engineering and ancient DNA research, Colossal Biosciences, a biotech firm based in Dallas, has announced the successful revival of the dire wolf, a species that vanished approximately 12,500 years ago. Utilizing innovative cloning and gene-editing technologies applied to ancient DNA, scientists have produced three dire wolf pups, marking what they claim is the world’s first successful de-extinction of an animal species.
According to a company statement released Monday, the dire wolf pups are the result of altering the genes of gray wolves, the closest living relative of the extinct prehistoric canid. This process has yielded a hybrid species that closely resembles its ancient predecessor in appearance.
The dire wolf, scientifically known as Aenocyon dirus, was a formidable predator that once inhabited North America and served as the inspiration for the imposing canines in the popular HBO series “Game of Thrones.” (CNN and HBO share parent company Warner Bros. Discovery). Colossal Biosciences noted that dire wolves were characterized by their larger size compared to gray wolves, along with “a slightly broader head, light, dense fur, and a more powerful jaw.”
Since 2021, Colossal Biosciences has been publicly pursuing the de-extinction of the woolly mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger but had not previously disclosed its efforts regarding dire wolves.
“This significant accomplishment represents the initial demonstration of our comprehensive de-extinction technology in action,” stated Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal, in a press release. “Our team extracted DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull to create healthy dire wolf puppies.”
The three dire wolves are currently housed in a secured 2,000-acre facility at an undisclosed location, surrounded by 10-foot (3-meter) “zoo-grade” fencing. The site is under constant surveillance by security personnel, drones, and live camera monitoring. Colossal reported that the facility has received certification from the American Humane Society and is registered with the US Department of Agriculture.
Ancient DNA and Dire Wolf Fossils
Colossal’s scientists, collaborating with external researchers, successfully reconstructed two high-quality Aenocyon dirus genomes, or complete genetic blueprints, using ancient DNA extracted from two separate dire wolf fossils.
The research team then compared these genomes to those of extant canids, including wolves, jackals, and foxes, to pinpoint the genetic variations linked to distinctive dire wolf traits, such as their white coats and long, thick fur.
Subsequently, the company employed the findings from this genetic analysis to modify gray wolf cells. This involved making 20 alterations across 14 genes before cloning the most promising cell lines. These modified cells were then introduced into donor eggs, as per the news release.
Colossal’s statement further revealed that “healthy developing embryos were subsequently implanted into surrogates for interspecies gestation,” resulting in three pregnancies and the births of the first de-extinct species. The company has not yet publicly identified the surrogate species, though various news sources indicate domestic dogs were used.
Colossal Biosciences confirmed that two male dire wolf pups were born on October 1, 2024, and a female pup followed on January 30, 2025.
Gene Editing and the De-extinction Process
Professor Love Dalén, an evolutionary genomics expert at the Centre for Palaeogenetics at Stockholm University and advisor to Colossal, explained that the company’s method essentially involved creating a hybrid genome. CRISPR technology was utilized to excise specific gray wolf gene variants and substitute them with traits associated with dire wolves.
Dalén acknowledged, “It is clear that genetically, these animals are 99.9% gray wolf. The scientific community will undoubtedly debate the number of gene modifications required to constitute a true dire wolf, which is fundamentally a philosophical discussion.”
He added, “These animals possess dire wolf genes that contribute to a physical resemblance to dire wolves, more so than any canids observed in the past 13,000 years. This is a remarkable achievement.”
Dalén, who participated “to a limited extent” in the dire wolf genome analysis but was not directly involved in gene editing, cloning, or in-person with the pups, recognized the scientists’ work as “a significant advancement” in the field.
“From my perspective, they have successfully resurrected the dire wolf phenotype — the observable traits of the species. Based on the genome, their appearance likely resembles these pups. In that sense, I consider them dire wolves,” he stated.
Financial Backing and Future Applications
Colossal Biosciences has secured at least $435 million in funding since its inception in September 2021 by serial entrepreneur Ben Lamm and Harvard University geneticist George Church. The company’s initial undertaking was the resurrection of the mammoth, a project that has progressed slower than initially anticipated. Colossal now projects the introduction of the first woolly mammoth calves in 2028.
The company aims to leverage the technologies developed during the dire wolf project to aid endangered species conservation efforts. Colossal announced the production of two litters of cloned red wolves, a critically endangered wolf species, utilizing a novel, less intrusive cloning technique refined during the dire wolf research.
Critics of de-extinction projects often argue that the substantial financial investments could be more effectively allocated to other conservation priorities. Concerns also exist regarding the potential risks to surrogate animals used in breeding these hybrid creatures. However, Christopher Preston, an environmental philosophy professor at the University of Montana, acknowledged Colossal’s attention to animal welfare, citing the facility’s size and American Humane Society endorsement.
“Colossal has implemented careful measures to mitigate unintended genetic consequences from their edits, avoiding high-risk edits known to cause negative outcomes,” Preston noted.
Nonetheless, Preston questioned the potential ecological role for dire wolves, an aspect Colossal has emphasized as a primary objective for its mammoth de-extinction program.
“In states like Montana, maintaining healthy gray wolf populations is already challenging due to heightened political opposition,” Preston commented. “It is difficult to envision dire wolves being released and establishing an ecological function. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the ultimate purpose these new animals will serve.”