A Dallas-based biotech start-up claims it has successfully revived the long-extinct dire wolf.
At a remote and undisclosed location in the US, two young white wolves are living in a one-acre enclosure, quietly watched over by researchers.
According to Colossal Biosciences, the animals are genetically engineered to closely resemble dire wolves, a species that vanished over 10,000 years ago.
The five-month-old pups are thriving in the cool spring conditions, their thick coats and sturdy frames reminiscent of the Ice Age predators that once roamed the Americas alongside mammoths and saber-toothed cats.
Colossal’s founder and CEO, Ben Lamm, says these animals mark the first successful attempt at “de-extinction.”
“This is more than just a scientific achievement,” Lamm said.
“It’s the beginning of a new era for conservation and biodiversity.”
The dire wolf, made famous in recent years by its depiction in HBO’s Game of Thrones, has fascinated scientists and storytellers alike due to its size, strength, and mysterious extinction.
Now, through advanced genetic techniques involving gene editing and selective breeding, Colossal believes it has created an animal that is genetically close enough to be considered a modern dire wolf.
However, experts remain cautious. Critics question whether these animals can truly be classified as dire wolves or whether they are simply close approximations using modern wolf DNA.
Despite the ongoing debate, the sight of two pale pups roaming their enclosure is stirring global interest.
While the science behind their existence continues to be scrutinised, one thing is clear – the line between science fiction and reality is getting thinner by the day.
