Immortalized by Game of Thrones, the dire wolf is alive again—or at least something very close. Using ancient DNA and genetic editing, scientists at Colossal Biosciences have revived these giant wolves after nearly 10,000 years, igniting debate about ethics and practicality.
Key Facts about the Dire Wolf Revival:
- Company behind revival: Colossal Biosciences, also known as the De-Extinction Company, led the project using CRISPR gene-editing technology.
- Ancient DNA used: DNA extracted from fossils aged 13,000 and 72,000 years.
- New dire wolf pups: Three puppies born—two males named Romulus and Remus, and a female named Khaleesi, after Game of Thrones.
- Location: The wolves live on a 2,000-acre private preserve at an undisclosed site.
- Celebrity involvement: Filmmaker Peter Jackson and author George R.R. Martin supported and invested in the project.
The Rest of the Dire Wolf Story:
Colossal Biosciences combined ancient DNA samples with genetic modifications of modern gray wolves to create three dire wolf pups.
These new animals, named after mythical and fictional wolf-linked figures, are expected to grow significantly larger than modern wolves, reaching weights of up to 150 pounds.
Filmmaker Peter Jackson loaned the iconic “Iron Throne” for publicity photos featuring the revived wolves, revealing himself as the anonymous buyer of the prop.
George R.R. Martin, creator of Game of Thrones, joined as a cultural advisor, praising dire wolves’ historical significance to North American ecosystems.
Colossal says this achievement proves its broader de-extinction concept and intends to revive other extinct species, including the woolly mammoth and the dodo bird.
SOUND ON. You’re hearing the first howl of a dire wolf in over 10,000 years. Meet Romulus and Remus—the world’s first de-extinct animals, born on October 1, 2024.
The dire wolf has been extinct for over 10,000 years. These two wolves were brought back from extinction using… pic.twitter.com/wY4rdOVFRH
— Colossal Biosciences® (@colossal) April 7, 2025
Why Reviving the Dire Wolf is a Bad Idea:
Reviving long-extinct predators like dire wolves sounds exciting at first glance.
But the scientists behind this project might be playing dangerously with nature.
Reintroducing massive predators to modern ecosystems could create serious problems rather than fix existing ones.
These researchers argue they’re repairing ecosystems, but ecosystems have changed drastically over thousands of years.
Animals that went extinct did so for reasons often beyond human control.
Bringing them back isn’t necessarily going to restore balance—it might instead disrupt existing wildlife populations.
Hollywood loves the idea of bringing extinct creatures back to life.
We’ve all watched the famous dinosaur movies that show clearly why resurrecting ancient predators isn’t exactly smart.
Yet Colossal seems to treat these movies as inspirational instead of cautionary tales.
Today’s experiment might be fluffy wolves in a controlled environment, but what happens next?
Will scientists push further, reviving increasingly dangerous and unpredictable creatures?
It’s not hard to imagine someone eventually proposing a Jurassic Park-like experiment, creating risks we are not prepared to handle.
It’s troubling that these researchers prioritize spectacle and entertainment.
Naming wolves after fantasy characters, posing them on fictional thrones—this doesn’t convey responsible science.
It sends a message that entertainment value trumps safety or common sense.
Nature is complex and unpredictable.
Humans struggle enough managing current wildlife conservation challenges.
Adding extinct predators back into the mix feels less like a scientific breakthrough and more like reckless hubris.
The Bottom Line on Dire Wolves’ Return:
Colossal Biosciences brought dire wolves back after thousands of years, claiming to help conservation.
But reviving ancient predators could be risky rather than restorative.
Sometimes, extinct creatures should probably stay that way.
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