Dire Wolf Pups Born in Colossal’s De-Extinction Project
Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology company founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Ben Lamm and geneticist George Church, has announced the birth of what it describes as the first animals brought back from extinction: dire wolf pups.
According to the company, two pups—Romulus and Remus—were born on October 1, 2024, followed by a third pup, Khaleesi, on January 31, 2025. The announcement was made through an X post and other platforms.
Reviving an Extinct Predator
The dire wolf, an extinct canid that roamed the Americas until approximately 10,000 to 13,000 years ago, was larger and more robust than the modern gray wolf.
To revive its traits, Colossal extracted ancient DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth found in Ohio and a 72,000-year-old ear bone from Idaho. Scientists reconstructed a dire wolf genome by comparing it to that of the gray wolf, making 20 genetic edits across 14 genes to reproduce characteristics like a white coat, thicker fur, and larger size.
The edited cells were used in somatic cell nuclear transfer to create embryos, which were implanted into gray wolf surrogates. Two pups were born in October, followed by a third in January.
Life at the Preserve
Now living in a 2,000-acre preserve, the pups display physical features exceeding those of modern gray wolves. At six months old, Romulus and Remus reportedly measured nearly four feet long and weighed 80 pounds.
Colossal has documented their growth on YouTube, sharing milestones such as their first howls.
A Landmark in De-Extinction
Valued at $10.2 billion with $435 million in funding, Colossal frames this as a major step in de-extinction, alongside its work to revive the woolly mammoth, dodo, and thylacine.
Scientific responses are mixed. Some praise the gene-editing achievement, while others question whether the animals are truly dire wolves, since the species diverged from gray wolves millions of years ago.
Chief scientist Beth Shapiro calls the effort “functional de-extinction,” aiming to recreate key traits without replicating the full genome.
Looking Ahead
Colossal’s broader mission includes conservation of endangered species, with partnerships such as one with the MHA Nation. The dire wolf pups currently live in isolation, with no breeding plans announced.
The project has drawn interest from investors like Peter Jackson and George R.R. Martin, while also fueling debate around the ecological and ethical implications of reviving extinct species.
This milestone in genetic engineering raises important questions about the future of species revival—and the boundaries of what science can (and should) do.