According to ShibDaily, Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology company, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully reviving dire wolves, a species that has been extinct for nearly 10,000 years. This marks the first instance of an animal being brought back from extinction through advanced biotechnological methods. The dire wolves, famously associated with the Stark family in George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones, have been brought back to life using DNA extracted from two fossils. The process involved 20 genetic edits to the DNA of a gray wolf, the dire wolf’s closest living relative.
Colossal Biosciences has successfully bred three dire wolves using CRISPR technology, selectively enhancing traits such as the snowy white coats characteristic of the extinct species. The three dire wolves, consisting of two male adolescents and one female puppy, are currently residing in a secure, 2,000-acre preserve at a confidential location. The company estimates that these wolves will grow to weigh between 130 and 150 pounds as they mature. Colossal CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm expressed excitement about the achievement, stating that the team used DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull to create healthy dire wolf puppies.
While many associate dire wolves with fantasy, they were real animals that once roamed the Americas. They are believed to have gone extinct around 10,000 years ago, likely due to the loss of large herbivores they depended on for food. Fossil evidence of these ancient canines has been uncovered at L.A.’s La Brea Tar Pits, where over 3,600 dire wolf remains have been found. The museum next door showcases around 400 of these skulls, offering visitors a glimpse into the past of this long-extinct species.
Colossal Biosciences has announced its goal to reintroduce the dire wolf as a thriving species. The company plans to establish ecological preserves for these restored creatures on Indigenous lands across North America, ensuring their sustainable future in the wild. This achievement marks a significant milestone not only for Game of Thrones and fantasy enthusiasts but also for the field of biotechnology. It demonstrates the potential of modern technology to restore extinct species, pushing the limits of genetic engineering and de-extinction efforts.