Scientists 'Resurrect' the Extinct Dire Wolf Using Gene Editing and Ancient DNA

Daily Tribune

08-04-2025

In a groundbreaking feat of science, a team of geneticists at Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company based in Dallas, has successfully brought back to life a version of the long-extinct dire wolf—marking what they describe as the world's first 'successfully de-extincted animal.'
Once a fearsome predator that roamed North America until its extinction around 12,500 years ago, the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) has captured popular imagination for decades, most notably as the model for the mythical wolves in HBO's Game of Thrones. Now, scientists say they have revived the animal's appearance and characteristics by genetically engineering gray wolf DNA using ancient samples, cloning technology, and advanced gene editing.
Colossal Biosciences revealed that three pups with dire wolf traits have been born: two males in October 2024 and a female in January 2025. The animals are being housed in a highly secure, undisclosed 2,000-acre facility, equipped with zoo-grade fencing, drone surveillance, and 24-hour monitoring.
The breakthrough involved extracting ancient DNA from two dire wolf fossils—a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull—and using the genetic information to map out the complete genome of the species. Scientists then made precise edits to gray wolf cells, introducing key dire wolf traits such as thicker fur, a broader skull, and powerful jaw structure. A total of 20 edits across 14 genes were made using CRISPR technology.
'These pups carry dire wolf genes, and these genes give them a look that hasn't been seen in over 13,000 years,' said Professor Love Dalén, an evolutionary genomics expert from Stockholm University and an advisor to Colossal. 'This is a huge leap forward—scientifically, this is the closest we've come to reviving an extinct species.'
The hybrid embryos were gestated in domestic dogs, specifically large mixed-breed hounds, with all three pregnancies resulting in healthy births. Though the genome is still 99.9% gray wolf, scientists argue that the defining dire wolf traits justify classifying the animals as a form of de-extinction.
Colossal, which has also announced plans to revive the woolly mammoth, Tasmanian tiger, and dodo, has raised over $435 million since its founding in 2021 by entrepreneur Ben Lamm and renowned Harvard geneticist George Church. The company says it is on track to introduce the first mammoth calves by 2028.
Beyond the dire wolf, Colossal's research has also resulted in cloned litters of red wolves—one of the world's most endangered canid species—using less invasive cloning techniques developed through this project.
While the achievement has sparked excitement, some experts have voiced caution. Critics argue that the funds used for de-extinction could be more effectively directed toward conservation efforts for existing endangered species. Others question the ecological role these animals would play, especially since even modern wolves face political and environmental challenges in the wild.
Still, ethicists like Professor Christopher Preston from the University of Montana believe Colossal is approaching the issue responsibly. 'They've shown strong consideration for animal welfare, with a certified humane facility and thorough genetic screening to avoid harmful mutations,' he said.
Yet the long-term future of the dire wolf remains unclear. While the company hints at future ecological reintegration, many are asking: What role can these resurrected predators realistically serve?
For now, the dire wolf lives again—not in ancient forests or fantasy tales, but in the careful hands of science.