Scientists at a US-based biotechnology firm have successfully brought back an extinct species, marking a groundbreaking moment in genetic science. Colossal Biosciences has announced the birth of three dire wolves, a species that last roamed the Earth more than 12,000 years ago. Named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, the animals were created through DNA editing of ancient remains, in what is being hailed as the first successful case of de-extinction. The pups, shown in footage playing in a snowy enclosure at a confidential location, have sparked excitement among the scientific community.
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The process involved extracting DNA from a 72,000-year-old skull found in Idaho and a 13,000-year-old tooth discovered in Ohio. Scientists then sequenced the genetic material, identifying key traits such as size and coat colour. The DNA was inserted into egg cells from domestic dogs after extensive gene editing using cells from modern grey wolves. The embryos were implanted into surrogate dogs, resulting in the birth of the first dire wolf pup via caesarean section. Reproductive biologist Darya Tourzani described the achievement as “science fiction at its finest”.
Dr Beth Shapiro, the company’s chief science officer, explained that the process was particularly challenging due to the degraded state of the ancient DNA, as dire wolves did not live in cold climates where genetic material is typically better preserved. The pups are around 25 per cent larger than grey wolves of the same age and are expected to reach 140 pounds when fully grown. Their diet includes beef, venison, horse meat and specially formulated pet food. Colossal’s Matt James recalled the awe of holding the first newborn, noting the animal’s size and strength at birth.
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Colossal Biosciences, based in Dallas, previously gained attention for its ambitious plan to resurrect woolly mammoths and has already succeeded in creating a “woolly mouse” prototype. In addition to the dire wolves, the team has recently bred two litters of red wolves—considered the world’s most endangered wolf species—using non-invasive blood cloning techniques. Despite past failures in animal resurrection attempts, such as the 2003 revival of the Pyrenean ibex, this achievement marks a major leap forward in conservation science and synthetic biology.
