Colossal Announces First Dire Wolf Pups Birth

The South African

23-04-2025

However, living, breathing dire wolves born in a groundbreaking scientific achievement. Colossal Biosciences has announced the birth of the world's first de-extinct animals: three dire wolf pups named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi.
The Dallas-based biotechnology company revealed in April 2025 that it had successfully brought back the iconic Ice Age predator that disappeared approximately 12,000 years ago through advanced genetic engineering techniques. This achievement marks a historic milestone in both de-extinction science and conservation biology.
'If you thought dire wolves were just mythical creatures from Game of Thrones, think again,' observed Rolling Stone magazine, emphasising that 'dire wolves were real, one of the apex predators of the Ice Age' prior to their extinction thousands of years ago.
The three pups represent the first successful revival of an extinct species through genetic engineering. The two males, Romulus and Remus, were born in October 2024, while the younger female, Khaleesi, arrived in January 2025. Now, about 6 months and 3 months old respectively, the pups are thriving under specialised care.
Even at their young age, these canids display distinctive dire wolf traits. They already exhibit the characteristic thick white fur, broad heads, and hefty builds of their extinct ancestors. At just six months old, they weigh approximately 80 pounds, suggesting they will grow to the impressive size that made dire wolves formidable predators during the Pleistocene era.
Their behaviour is notably different from domestic dogs or even modern wolves. According to observers, these pups are 'not dogs, or even modern-day wolves. They're dire wolf pups, back from extinction after some 12,000 years.' Unlike domestic puppies, Romulus and Remus maintain their distance from humans, frequently flinching or retreating even from familiar caretakers, demonstrating true wild lupine instincts.
The achievement represents what many scientific outlets have called 'one of the wildest feats in modern science' and possibly 'the most bonkers science story of the year.' Complex magazine emphasised that 'these are actual, giant, genetically accurate, scientifically verified dire wolves walking the Earth again'—not CGI or fantasy, but 'science that reads like science fiction.'
To achieve this breakthrough, Colossal employed a combination of ancient DNA analysis, CRISPR gene editing, and cloning techniques. The process began with extracting genetic material from dire wolf fossils—specifically, a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull. From these remains, scientists sequenced the dire wolf's genome, creating a genetic blueprint of the extinct species.
By comparing this genome to that of the grey wolf (which they confirmed as the dire wolf's closest living relative, sharing 99.5% of its DNA), researchers identified 14 important genes with 20 distinct genetic variants that give dire wolves their characteristic features. These included genes influencing size, build, skull shape, teeth formation, coat characteristics, and even vocalisation patterns.
Using CRISPR technology, scientists edited cells from modern grey wolves to carry these dire wolf genetic variants. Rather than invasively harvesting tissue, they drew blood from living grey wolves and isolated endothelial progenitor cells, which were then modified with the target genes.
Once edited, these cells were used in a cloning process called somatic cell nuclear transfer. Scientists removed the nucleus from donor egg cells and replaced it with the nucleus of an edited cell, creating embryos that were then implanted into surrogate mothers, domestic dogs chosen for their genetic compatibility.
The dire wolf pups are being raised in a specialised environment designed to meet their unique needs. According to Colossal, the wolves reside on a 2,000+ acre protected reserve under round-the-clock care and monitoring. The site, certified by the American Humane Society, includes naturalistic habitats and on-site veterinary support to ensure the animals' well-being.
Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., CEO of the American Humane Society, praised Colossal for its high standards of animal welfare in raising the wolves, calling the company 'a shining example of excellence in humane care.' She stated that 'the technology they are pursuing may be the key to reversing the sixth mass extinction and making extinction events a thing of the past.'
The entire preserve is enclosed by 10-foot-tall, zoo-grade fencing with redundant perimeter security. Within the preserve, the wolves are continuously monitored through on-site live cameras, security personnel, and drone tracking to ensure their safety and welfare.
While the revival of an extinct species captures headlines, Colossal emphasises that the technologies developed for this achievement have immediate applications for endangered species conservation. Alongside the dire wolf births, Colossal announced it had successfully cloned two litters of critically endangered red wolves (Canis rufus)—producing four healthy red wolf pups—using the same 'non-invasive blood cloning' approach developed in the dire wolf work.
With fewer than 20 red wolves remaining in North America, making them one of the most endangered canids on Earth, this technique could significantly impact conservation efforts. The red wolves cloned by Colossal represent three different genetic founder lines, potentially increasing the genetic diversity of the captive breeding population by 25%.
Dr. Christopher Mason, a Colossal scientific advisor, linked de-extinction innovations to immediate conservation applications: 'The same technologies that created the dire wolf can directly help save a variety of other endangered animals as well. This is an extraordinary technological leap for both science and conservation.'
The return of the dire wolf has generated excitement beyond scientific circles. George R.R. Martin, author of 'Game of Thrones' and a Colossal investor, remarked, 'I get the luxury to write about magic, but Ben and Colossal have created magic by bringing these majestic beasts back to our world.'
Mark Fox, Tribal Chairman of the MHA Nation, reflected on the spiritual significance: 'The de-extinction of the dire wolf is more than a biological revival. Its birth symbolises a reawakening—a return of an ancient spirit to the world. The dire wolf carries the echoes of our ancestors, their wisdom, and their connection to the wild.'
As these pups grow and develop, they will continue to provide valuable scientific data while representing a new chapter in humanity's relationship with extinction. Their very existence suggests that with advanced technology, careful scientific approach, and ethical considerations, extinction may no longer be forever.