In a stunning leap for science, dire wolves a species that vanished nearly 12,500 years ago are howling once again. Thanks to groundbreaking genetic engineering, scientists have successfully revived the ancient predator. Two six-month-old pups, named Romulus and Remus, are now living proof of this historic breakthrough.
The company behind the resurrection Texas-based Colossal Biosciences, used a mix of ancient DNA, cloning, and gene editing to bring back the long-extinct species. Romulus and Remus already weigh over 36 kg and measure nearly four feet in length. The dire wolf made famous by the HBO series Game of Thrones, once ruled as a top predator across North America.
The DNA blueprint was built using genetic material from the dire wolf’s closest living relative the gray wolf. However, the revived wolves are visibly different they’re larger, have thicker fur, and sport more powerful jaws.
“This is a game changer,” said George Church, Colossal’s co-founder and a professor of genetics at Harvard and MIT, in a statement to Time Magazine. He highlighted the efficiency of cloning from isolated cells as a major leap forward in de-extinction science.
The internet had its moment too. Billionaire Elon Musk, known for his fascination with futuristic tech, reacted to the news on X (formerly Twitter): “Please make a miniature pet woolly mammoth,” he posted, resharing the announcement with his wishlist.
The dire wolf pups were initially cared for by a surrogate before being bottle-fed by the Colossal team. While healthy and thriving, their behavior is noticeably different from modern wolves. According to Time, Romulus and Remus avoid human interaction even flinching when approached by handlers who raised them. Scientists say this aloof nature may be typical of dire wolves, describing them as “animals that want to be alone.”
These pups are just the beginning. Colossal also aims to bring back other extinct species like the woolly mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger. While progress on those fronts has been slower, this successful milestone gives the team renewed hope.
Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO of Colossal “This is just the start we took DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies.”
The three revived wolves two males born on October 1, 2024, and one female born on January 30, 2025 now live on a secure 2,000-acre facility at a secret location. Monitored by drones, surveillance cameras, and high fences, the area is designed to keep the newly resurrected species safe while scientists continue their research.
