OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH: Scientists revive dire wolf from 10,000 years of extinction

In a groundbreaking feat, scientists have re-engineered ancient DNA from fossils to revive the dire wolf — a species that vanished from the planet thousands of years ago.

The first dire wolf “puppies” were born on October 1, 2024, according to Time magazine’s in-depth report on Romulus and Remus. Though only six months old, they already weigh 80 lbs and measure four feet long — and are expected to grow to at least 150 lbs and reach six feet in length.

Unlike typical puppies, the dire wolves exhibit wild instincts, shying away from humans despite being hand-raised — a stark contrast to domesticated dogs. Confined to a 2,000-acre preserve at an undisclosed location and fed beef and deer meat, the wolves display natural behaviors like howling and stalking but remain unable to survive in the wild.

The genome, reconstructed by US-based Colossal Biosciences, was derived from fossils dating back at least 11,000 years. No one has seen a dire wolf in 10,000 years, reported Time. The ancient species once roamed from modern-day Venezuela to Canada.

"This moment marks not only a milestone for us as a company but also a leap forward for science, conservation, and humanity,” wrote Colossal.

“From the beginning, our goal has been clear: to revolutionize history and be the first company to use CRISPR technology successfully in the de-extinction of previously lost species.”

“By achieving this, we continue to push forward our broader mission of —accepting humanity’s duty to restore Earth to a healthier state."

Colossal scientists “deciphered the dire wolf genome, rewrote the genetic code of the common gray wolf to match it, and, using domestic dogs as surrogate mothers, brought Romulus, Remus, and their sister, two-month-old Khaleesi, into the world during three separate births last fall and this winter,” wrote Time, “effectively for the first time de-extincting a line of beasts whose live gene pool long ago vanished.”

Ancient DNA was extracted from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old ear bone. Scientists then edited the genome of gray wolves — altering 14 key genes using blood-derived cells — to recreate the dire wolf’s muscular build, white coat, and powerful jaws. Instead of direct DNA splicing, they used healthy hound mixes as surrogates, resulting in successful cesarean births.

With its first success, Colossal now aims to bring back other extinct species, including the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the Tasmanian tiger. The company has already introduced a “woolly mouse” — a chimeric creature with the mammoth’s golden coat and accelerated fat metabolism.

A full mammoth birth is planned for 2028, involving the editing of 85 elephant genes. Still, rewilding remains uncertain due to habitat loss and dietary complexity.

“[Humans] are an evolutionary force at this point,” Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s chief science officer, told Time.

“We are deciding what the future of these species will be.”

“If we want a future that is both bionumerous and filled with people, we should be giving ourselves the opportunity to see what our big brains can do to reverse some of the bad things that we’ve done to the world already.”

The project, however, is not without controversy. Critics point to cloning risks — including health defects and stress on surrogates — and raise concerns about the potential for invasive species, citing past examples like the cane toad.

While the pups’ lives are secure, they will never be released into the wild, but their isolation raises questions about their social needs. This pioneering effort — blending science with ethics — could reshape biodiversity, though its long-term consequences remain uncertain.

Valued at $10.2 billion, Colossal is also exploring commercial ventures, including plastic-degrading microbes and drug development platforms.