What seemed to be impossible has actually happened, with a Dallas-based biotech company bringing back the extinct species of dire wolves. Researchers at Colossal Biosciences have managed to revive the wolves through a process called de-extinction, bringing to life the giant wolves that went extinct over 10,000 years ago. With the milestone, the researchers have created three dire wolves by using ancient DNA, cloning and gene-editing technology, further altering the genes of a gray wolf, the prehistoric animal’s closest living relative.

The result is three genetically engineered wolves who are now trotting, sleeping and howling at an undisclosed location in the US, as stated by the company.

What is DNA Cloning?

“DNA cloning allows a copy of any specific part of a DNA or RNA sequence to be selected from the millions of other sequences in a cell and produced in unlimited amounts in pure form. DNA sequences can be amplified after cutting chromosomal DNA with a restriction nuclease and inserting the resulting DNA fragments into the chromosome of a self-replicating genetic element.

De-extinction Of Dire Wolves

The animals’ revival began with the researchers examining ancient DNA obtained from fossils, which included a 13,000-year-old dire wolf tooth found in Ohio and a 72,000-year-old skull fragment from Idaho. They also took blood cells from a living gray wolf and used CRISPR to modify them at 20 different sites where the genetic material was transferred to an egg cell.

When ready, the embryos were transferred to surrogates, which included domestic dogs, and it was eventually after 62 days that the genetically engineered pups were born, said Colossal’s chief scientist Beth Shapiro, as per NBC News. Sharing more details, chief animal care expert Matt James explained that the pups physically resemble young dire wolves. However, they might not have all the traits, as they won’t get to watch and learn from their dire wolf parents.

What Does The Return Of Dire Wolves Mean?

The company emphasised that the milestone is the first of many coming examples that demonstrate how their end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works. Christopher Preston, a wildlife expert at the University of Montana, added that the technology might have broader application for the conservation of other species as they are less invasive than other techniques to clone animals.

He also discussed the role of these animals in the ecosystems, considering there has been recent trouble with maintaining a healthy population of gray wolves on the land. “It is hard to imagine dire wolves ever being released and taking up an ecological role. So, I think it is important to ask what role the new animals will serve.

With all that said, while the animals are currently expected to be kept in captivity, the company could potentially conserve other endangered species such as the red wolf.

How Social Media Reacted?

Among the horde of online users, Tesla chief Elon Musk shared the cover of Time magazine that read: “This is Remus. He’s a dire wolf. The first to exist in over 10,000 years. Endangered species could be changed forever.”

When a user asked Musk’s AI Grok on what could potentially go wrong after reviving the wolf, the chatbot responded by saying that reintroducing species that were already extinct could hamper the ecosystem while also citing the ethical dilemma that came along.

“Plenty could go wrong with de-extincting dire wolves—ecological chaos, ethical dilemmas, and unforeseen consequences top the list. Reintroducing a species gone for 10,000 years risks disrupting modern ecosystems, while the *Game of Thrones* nod hints at potential turmoil. Cool tech, sure, but nature’s not a sci-fi playground. Thoughts?”