According to the firm behind this project, three genetically modified wolves, which might look like ancient dire wolves, are currently running, resting, and vocalizing in an unspecified protected site within the U.S. bring back lost species .
The wolf pups, aged between three to six months, boast long white fur, strong jaw muscles, and they already tip the scales at approximately 80 pounds—on course to potentially grow up to 140 pounds when fully grown, according to researchers at Colossal Biosciences reported Monday.
Dire wolves, which disappeared over 10,000 years ago, were significantly bigger compared to gray wolves, their nearest surviving cousins nowadays.
Independent researchers indicated that this recent development does not imply that dire wolves will be returning to North America’s prairies anytime shortly.
"What you can do now is merely make something appear somewhat similar to another thing" — not entirely bring back extinct species, stated Vincent Lynch, a biologist from the University at Buffalo, who wasn’t part of the study.
Giant scientists gained insights into particular characteristics exhibited by dire wolves through their analysis of ancient DNA extracted from fossils. They examined a 13,000-year-old direwolf tooth discovered in Ohio and a 72,000-year-old skull piece found in Idaho, specimens which are housed within the collections of natural history museums.
Next, the researchers extracted blood cells from a live gray wolf and utilized CRISPR technology to alter their genome at 20 distinct locations, as stated by Colossal’s lead scientist Beth Shapiro. This modified DNA was then inserted into an egg cell taken from a pet dog. Once prepared, these manipulated embryos were placed inside surrogate mothers, which were also household pets, and approximately two months later, the genetically altered puppies came into the world.
Previously, Colossal had unveiled comparable initiatives aimed at modifying genes of organisms currently alive to develop creatures akin to vanished species such as woolly mammoths and dodos.
Although the puppies might appear similar to youngdirewolvesphysically, "theywilllikelynevermasterthefinishingtechniqueforbringingdownagiantelkorabigdeer," as theywon'thavechancesowatchandlearnfromwilddirewolfparents,saidMattJames,collosal'sleadanimalcarespecialist.
Colossal also announced today that they have successfully cloned four red wolves using blood samples taken from wild specimens of the severely endangered species found in the southeastern United States. red wolf population The objective is to introduce greater genetic variety into the limited group of captive red wolves, with researchers employing this strategy for breeding purposes to aid in saving the species.
This technology could potentially have wider applications for conserving various species since it is more minimally invasive compared to other cloning methods, noted Christopher Preston, a wildlife specialist from the University of Montana who wasn’t part of this study. However, it still necessitates tranquilizing an actual wild wolf for a blood sample, which isn’t easy, he further mentioned.
Ben Lamm, the CEO of Colossal, mentioned that the team had discussions with officials from the U.S. Interior Department in late March regarding their project. On Monday, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum lauded the efforts on X as ushering in an "exciting new age of scientific marvel," despite external researchers pointing out certain constraints when attempting to revive previous eras.
“What role the direwolf played ecologically before its extinction cannot be fulfilled now on our current terrains,” stated Lynch from the University of Buffalo.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This content must not be republished, rebroadcasted, rewritten, or distributed without permission.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WANE 15.