Scientists Announce First De-Extinction: They've Brought Back The Dire Wolf
In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists say they have successfully brought back the dire wolf, marking the first-ever de-extinction of an animal species. Colossal Biosciences, a genetic engineering company, has birthed three dire wolves named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, the latter in honor of the legendary character from HBO's Game of Thrones.
The dire wolf, which disappeared from North and South America approximately 12,000 years ago, likely due to the disappearance of their prey, has been resurrected using advanced genetic techniques. The company extracted DNA from fossilized remains and combined it with the genetic code of the gray wolf, the dire wolf's closest living relative.
In a statement, the CEO of Colossal Biosciences said, "Our team took DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies." The embryos were placed into a surrogate and were born in October 2024.
The three wolves are now thriving in a secure, expansive ecological preserve in the United States, spanning over 2,000 acres. This remarkable achievement not only brings back a piece of the past but also opens new possibilities for conservation and genetic research. The company hopes to bring back the wooly mammoth in 2028.
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