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Colossal Biosciences announced the revival of the long-extinct wolf species in a news release on Monday, April 7. Three dire wolf pups were born at a private ecological preserve in Texas on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
The wolves are named Romulus and Remus – mythological figures in the city of Rome's origin story – and Khaleesi, the "Mother of Dragons" from the HBO TV series "Game of Thrones".
The pups now live on the 2,000-acre preserve, which is monitored by drones, cameras, and 10-foot fencing.
"I could not be more proud of the team," said Colossal CEO Ben Lamm. "This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works."
The company used ancient DNA from fossils and 20 precise gene edits to a gray wolf's genetic code to bring the Ice Age predators back to life.
"Our team took DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies," Lamm said. "It was once said, 'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.' Today, our team gets to unveil some of the magic they are working on and its broader impact on conservation."
Dire wolves have been prevalent in pop culture, especially through portrayals on "Game of Thrones", along with the video game "World of Warcraft" and role-playing game "Dungeons & Dragons". Often considered a myth, the real wolf went extinct about 10,000 years ago, according to the National Park Service.
"Game of Thrones" creator George R.R. Martin is a Colossal investor and cultural advisor.
"Many people view dire wolves as mythical creatures that only exist in a fantasy world, but in reality, they have a rich history of contributing to the American ecosystem," said Martin. "I get the luxury to write about magic, but Ben and Colossal have created magic by bringing these majestic beasts back to our world."
Colossal also birthed two litters of critically endangered red wolves, using the same non-invasive cloning technology. The litters include one female, Hope, and three males named Blaze, Cinder, and Ash.
Only about 20 red wolves are left in North America.
"I never thought I might live in a time when we have the science to bring back those species and restore them to selected sections of their former homeland," said Rick McIntyre, a world-renowned author and wolf behavior expert. "I have a dream that some time in the near future I can go back to Alaska, or a similar place in Northern Europe or Asia, and see those extinct species that have been brought back thanks to science. When that happens, I will begin to study the behavior of dire wolves."
The project is also a major leap forward for cloning and genome editing. Colossal said it used gray wolves as a genetic base and edited in 15 ancient gene variants to recreate extinct features like body size, jaw strength, and coat color.
The result: dire wolves with light-colored fur, wide skulls, and thick coats – traits scientists believe helped the species survive the Ice Age.
"Today's dire wolf announcement represents an exciting scientific step and demonstrates the power and possibilities of genetic technologies," said Barney Long, senior director of conservation strategy for Re:wild. "These technologies will likely transform the conservation of critically endangered species that still exist, and we are excited to apply them to prevent extinctions.
"From restoring lost genes into small, inbred populations to inserting disease resistance into imperiled species, the genetic technologies being developed by Colossal have immense potential to greatly speed up the recovery of species on the brink of extinction."
Harvard University geneticist and Colossal co-founder George Church said the dire wolves are "the largest number of precise genomic edits in a healthy vertebrate so far."
Colossal's preserve, certified by the American Humane Society, includes on-site vet care, storm shelters, and natural dens. The company says the wolves will live out their lives there and may eventually be introduced into larger protected ecosystems, potentially including Indigenous land.
Mark Fox, tribal chair of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, said the dire wolf's return also carries cultural weight.
"The de-extinction of the dire wolf is more than a biological revival," he said. "Its birth symbolizes 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.
"Its presence would remind us of our responsibility as stewards of the Earth – to protect not just the wolf, but the delicate balance of life itself. The work of the team at Colossal Biosciences is not only significant to our lands and people, but for conservation efforts across the globe. The ability for technological innovation to bring forth something so culturally and spiritually significant to indigenous people is paralleled by the far-reaching impacts that this technology provides for the future of stewardship on our planet in species diversity and conservation."
Colossal says it will share more information about the wolves "in the coming months" after monitoring their health and development.
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