Scientists Bring Back Dire Wolf DNA After 13,000 Years

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The dire wolf, long thought to be a creature of ancient past—and popular fantasy—has made a stunning return, thanks to a groundbreaking scientific effort in the United States. Using advanced genetic engineering, researchers have successfully created three wolf pups with the genetic markers of dire wolves, a species that went extinct around 13,000 years ago.

The pups, named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, are being celebrated as the world’s first example of “de-extinction.” The achievement comes from Colossal Biosciences, a company aiming to bring back lost species through modern DNA technology.

Dire wolves once roamed much of the American midcontinent during the Ice Age. Known for their powerful jaws, thick light-colored fur, and a size roughly 25 percent larger than modern gray wolves, these hyper-carnivores fed primarily on large prey like bison and horses. They disappeared from the planet thousands of years ago—until now.

The project began with fossil analysis. Scientists studied ancient DNA from a 13,000-year-old dire wolf tooth found in Ohio and a 72,000-year-old skull fragment from Idaho. These samples helped the team identify the traits that defined the species.

Then came the science. Colossal’s team used blood cells from a living gray wolf and edited its DNA using CRISPR technology in 20 locations. The modified genetic material was placed into a domestic dog egg cell. After implantation into surrogate dogs, three puppies were born 62 days later.

The result: three large, muscular pups with long white fur and heavy jaws. At only a few months old, they already weigh close to 80 pounds and are expected to reach 140 pounds as adults.

The pups currently reside on a 2,000-acre secure reserve, certified by the American Humane Society and monitored by a dedicated team. While they bear a striking physical resemblance to true dire wolves, scientists acknowledge that the pups won’t fully replicate the behaviors of their ancient ancestors. Lacking the social cues and survival techniques passed down in the wild, these animals are more symbolic representations than ecological restorations.

Still, Colossal’s team is optimistic. CEO Ben Lamm called the breakthrough a landmark moment in the field of de-extinction and said more projects are underway, including efforts to bring back animals resembling the woolly mammoth and dodo.

Colossal’s work is already attracting global attention—including from “Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin, who is also an investor. Martin noted that the dire wolf’s fantasy reputation is now rooted in reality.

Many people view dire wolves as mythical creatures that only exist in a fantasy world, but in reality, they have a rich history of contributing to the American ecosystem, Martin said in a statement. I write about magic—but Colossal has created it.

Officials from the U.S. Interior Department have already met with the company to discuss the implications of the project. While supporters hail it as the start of a scientific revolution, others urge caution.

Independent researchers warn that while the physical traits may be re-created, the dire wolf’s original place in Earth’s ecosystem cannot be fully revived. As biologist Vincent Lynch put it, “Whatever ecological function the dire wolf performed before it went extinct, it can’t perform those functions” in the world we live in today.

Still, the birth of Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi signals a bold new chapter in scientific history—one where species lost to time may walk among us once again.