Colossal Biosciences has announced it has successfully revived dire wolves using gene-editing technology, according to a report by Time.
Also known as dire wolves, these fearsome predators roamed North America before going extinct over 10,000 years ago. Based on fossil remains, scientists have established that dire wolves were larger than modern grey wolves, with shorter, more muscular legs, a broader skull, and powerful jaws — all features that made them effective hunters of young bison and other large Ice Age mammals.
Researchers at Colossal Biosciences extracted genetic material from a dire wolf’s tooth and bone. They then introduced 14 genetic modifications to the DNA of a grey wolf and used large domesticated dogs as surrogate mothers.
The experiment resulted in the birth of three pups, each with a distinctive skull shape, strong limbs, and bright white fur. The team named the animals Romulus, Rom, and Khaleesi. The pups currently reside in a dedicated nature reserve managed by the company.
Colossal Biosciences declared the experiment a success. Previously, the company created woolly mice with fragments of mammoth DNA. It now plans to bring back other extinct megafauna that once roamed the tundra.
However, not all scientists share the enthusiasm. Some argue that the dire wolves produced by Colossal are more accurately described as hybrids, only distantly resembling the true extinct species. Fully restoring the dire wolf would require far more extensive DNA reconstruction, they claim.
Experts have also raised ecological concerns. Reintroducing extinct species into the wild could disrupt natural ecosystems and lead to unpredictable environmental consequences.
