Scientists from Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas-based biotech company have created dire wolf pups by using ancient DNA, cloning and gene-editing technology to alter the genes of a gray wolf, the prehistoric dire wolf's closest living relative. The result is essentially a hybrid species similar in appearance to its extinct forerunner.
The news has brought an online frenzy, with the world's richest man Elon Musk now suggesting that the scientists next attempt should be bringing to life miniature pet (wolly) mammoth.
"This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works," said Ben Lamm, Colossal's cofounder and CEO, in a news release. "Our team took DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull and made healthy dire three wolf puppies."
The dire wolves are said to be living on a 2,000-acre site at an undisclosed location enclosed by 10-foot-tall (3-meter-tall) "zoo-grade" fencing, where they are monitored by security personnel, drones and live camera feeds.
The X account for the Hollywood hit Jurassic World, a reimagining of the classic Jurassic Park, which focuses on the turmoil that erupts following the resurrection of dinosaurs, also participated in the discussion.
"We see no possible way this could go wrong," the account said in a post, reacting to the Time magazine cover about the return of the dire wolf.
For fans of HBO Games of Thrones, the wolves named Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi, are a reminder of the wolves in the Stark family.
The dire wolf isn't the only animal that the American genetic engineering company, which was founded in 2021 and currently employs 130 scientists, wants to bring back. Also on their de-extinction wish list is the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the Thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger.
Dire wolves, made famous by "Game of Thrones," went extinct some 13,000 years ago. Now, researchers have bred gray-wolf pups that carry genes of their ancient cousins.
