Dire Wolves Return: Scientists Create Puppies From Extinct DNA

The Dire Wolf Is Back: A De-Extinction Milestone

In a world-first achievement, the biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences has successfully recreated the dire wolf—an animal that has been extinct for over 12,000 years. Using advanced gene-editing technology and ancient DNA recovered from fossils, scientists have brought to life three dire wolf puppies.

"We took a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 73,000-year-old skull, and we made puppies," said Ben Lamm, the CEO and co-founder of Colossal. The pups, named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, were born through a highly controlled and ethical process involving gene editing and surrogate birth.

A Legendary Beast Reimagined

Dire wolves have long existed in myths and fantasy, from Game of Thrones to Dungeons & Dragons. But unlike dragons or unicorns, dire wolves were once real apex predators in North America, hunting massive creatures like bison and ground sloths. Their extinction happened at the end of the last Ice Age.

Using DNA extracted from fossils found in Ohio and Idaho, scientists sequenced the dire wolf genome and compared it to modern-day canines. Surprisingly, the dire wolf shares about 99.5% of its DNA with the gray wolf. But that tiny difference held the key to bringing back their unique features: stronger jaws, muscular bodies, and broader skulls.

Building the Dire Wolf DNA

Rather than clone a dire wolf directly from ancient DNA (which is incomplete), Colossal scientists used CRISPR to edit 14 genes in a gray wolf's DNA—15 changes were inspired by the extinct wolf, and 5 were modern genes added for the animals’ health and safety.

For instance, ancient DNA revealed that dire wolves likely had white fur. But the gene responsible for that also carried risks of blindness or deafness. So scientists chose a safer gene from modern wolves that still gives the pups a fluffy, white coat without health issues.

These edited cells were then used to create embryos, which were implanted into a surrogate mother. The result? Living, breathing animals that walk, bark, and play just like their ancestors once did.

Are These Real Dire Wolves?

While these creatures aren’t genetically identical to the extinct dire wolf, they are close enough to be considered modern representations. They’re not mere gray wolves with cosmetic changes—they carry key traits that made the dire wolf unique.

Still, ethical debates continue. Critics argue that these animals are not “true” dire wolves and that reviving extinct species could lead to unforeseen ecological problems. Colossal has responded by stating that the wolves are housed in a protected, 8-square-kilometer sanctuary and won’t be released into the wild.

A Glimpse Into the Future

Colossal Biosciences isn’t stopping with dire wolves. The company is also working on reviving the woolly mammoth and preserving endangered species like the red wolf. Their goal? Use the science of de-extinction to help protect today's fragile ecosystems.

Fantasy has met reality, and for the first time in over 12,000 years, dire wolves walk the Earth again—not in books or on screens, but in real life.