Scientists Revive Dire Wolf DNA After 13,000 Years of Extinction

Once thought to exist only in ancient fossils—and fantasy tales—the mighty dire wolf is back, thanks to a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough in the U.S. Using advanced genetic engineering, researchers have successfully created three living pups with dire wolf DNA, reviving a species believed extinct for over 13,000 years.

Named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, these pups represent the world’s first major leap into what scientists call “de-extinction.” The achievement comes from Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company with an ambitious mission: to bring back vanished species using cutting-edge DNA technology.

Dire wolves once roamed the American plains during the Ice Age—larger and more robust than today’s gray wolves, with powerful jaws and thick, pale fur. They were fearsome predators, hunting large prey like horses and bison, until they vanished millennia ago. But now, they’re walking among us once more.

The journey began with ancient fossils. Scientists analyzed DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth found in Ohio and a 72,000-year-old skull fragment from Idaho. These samples revealed key traits that defined the dire wolf genome.

The real magic came next. Using CRISPR gene-editing technology, Colossal scientists modified DNA from a modern gray wolf in 20 specific locations. They inserted the altered genes into a domestic dog’s egg cell and implanted it into a surrogate mother. Sixty-two days later, three extraordinary pups were born.

The results are jaw-dropping—literally. At just a few months old, the pups already weigh close to 80 pounds and are expected to grow to 140 pounds. With their long white coats and broad, muscular frames, they closely resemble the dire wolves of legend.

The trio now lives on a secure 2,000-acre reserve, certified by the American Humane Society, and monitored around the clock. While genetically close, scientists note these animals won’t behave exactly like their ancient ancestors. Without the passed-down survival instincts of the wild, they’re more symbolic revivals than full ecological re-creations.

Still, the team at Colossal is hopeful. CEO Ben Lamm called this achievement a turning point in the science of reviving extinct species. The company is already pursuing other ambitious projects, including efforts to bring back creatures similar to the woolly mammoth and the dodo.

The project has even caught the eye of George R.R. Martin, the “Game of Thrones” author—and investor. “People think dire wolves belong only to fantasy,” Martin said, “but in truth, they were once a real and powerful part of America’s natural history. I write about magic—but Colossal has made it real.”

Officials from the U.S. Interior Department have met with Colossal to discuss what this means for wildlife and the future. While many hail this as a scientific revolution, some experts urge restraint. Evolutionary biologist Vincent Lynch noted, “Even if you bring back the body, you can’t bring back the role that species played in its original ecosystem.”