Once believed to be lost to history, dire wolves—those Ice Age giants that once ruled North America—have returned, not through fiction but through cutting-edge science. In a historic achievement, Colossal Biosciences has successfully created the first living dire wolf hybrids, blending ancient DNA with modern biotechnology.
The announcement came on X (formerly Twitter), with a powerful caption: “SOUND ON. You’re hearing the first howl of a dire wolf in over 10,000 years. Meet Romulus and Remus.” These pups, born on October 1, 2024, are now considered the first de-extinct animals in modern history.
Dire wolves, known for their massive skulls, thick fur, and deadly bite, vanished about 12,500 years ago. But thanks to fossil DNA—a tooth from Ohio and an inner ear bone from Idaho—scientists pieced together the most complete dire wolf genome ever, 500 times more detailed than previous attempts.
Using CRISPR gene editing, researchers modified the gray wolf genome, altering 14 genes at 20 locations to reintroduce physical and behavioral traits of dire wolves, while avoiding genetic risks. For example, instead of using the gene responsible for white fur (which also carried risks of deafness), they used a safer alternative.
Romulus, Remus, and a third pup, Khaleesi, live in Zone Alpha, a top-secret, 2,000-acre preserve in the northern U.S. Equipped with drones, fencing, and a full medical center, it ensures their care and observation.
Colossal calls this “a revolution in science, conservation, and humanity’s relationship with extinction.”
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