Colossal Biosciences announced in April 2025 that it had produced three gene-edited gray wolf pups it calls dire wolves. Romulus and Remus were born Oct. 1, 2024; Khaleesi on Jan. 30, 2025. The company used ancient dire wolf DNA to guide 20 edits across 14 genes. Experts dispute that this represents true de-extinction. 🐺✨
Colossal announces three gene-edited pups presented as dire wolves
Key facts
- On April 7, 2025, Colossal Biosciences announced three pups that it calls dire wolves; independent experts dispute that they constitute a successful de-extinction.
- Colossal used dire wolf DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth found in Ohio and a 72,000-year-old skull found in Idaho as reference material.
- Colossal says it made 20 targeted edits across 14 genes in gray wolf genomes, rather than 15 identical dire wolf genes plus five separate edits.
- Male pups Romulus and Remus were born on October 1, 2024; female pup Khaleesi was born on January 30, 2025.
- The males are white-coated, and Colossal describes the pups as larger and more robust than gray wolves.
- Dire wolves were extinct by roughly 10,000 years ago; the announcement did not demonstrate the return of a wild dire wolf population.
Sources
Colossal Biosciences Dire Wolf De-Extinctioncolossal.com
The Dallas-based de-extinction company produced three living dire wolves: Romulus and Remus, born October 1, 2024, and Khaleesi, born January 30, 2025, marking ...
Colossal Biosciences announces 'de-extinction' plan for ...cnn.com
Puppies resembling the extinct dire wolf were unveiled to the public by Colossal in April 2025. Three puppies were created using ancient DNA, ...
De-extinction Education - Colossal Biosciencescolossal.com
On April 7, 2025, Colossal Biosciences announced the successful rebirth of the dire wolf, marking the world's first de-extinction of an animal species.
Dire Wolf - Colossal Biosciencescolossal.com
On October 1, 2024, for the first time in human history, Colossal successfully restored a once-eradicated species through the science of de-extinction.
Scientists Revive the Dire Wolf, or Something Closenytimes.com
Colossal Biosciences appears to have done it, or something close, with the dire wolf, The animals will remain in captivity.
The Dire Wolf Is Backnewyorker.com
Colossal, a genetics startup, has birthed three pups that contain ancient DNA retrieved from the remains of the animal's extinct ancestors.
The Science Behind the Return of the Dire Wolftime.com
Apr 7, 2025 1:14 PM UTC. Colossal's project to revive the once-extinct dire wolf could also prevent existing but endangered animals from ...
Colossal Biosciences dire wolf projecten.wikipedia.org
As of 2025, they had produced three genetically modified gray Romulus and Remus Daenerys Targaryen (Khaleesi) The public announcement of their birth in April ...
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