Colossal Biosciences , a biotech company based in Dallas, recently shocked the world by announcing the de-extinction of the dire wolf. This ancient species disappeared over 12,000 years ago but gained renewed fame thanks to the popular TV show Game of Thrones.
The firm revealed that it has successfully created three dire wolf pups using advanced gene editing and cloning techniques. Naturally, this sparked widespread excitement and curiosity online.
Meet the First Modern Dire Wolves
So far, three pups have been born:
- Romulus and Remus, both six-month-old males
- Khaleesi, a three-month-old female
They are being raised at a secure location in the United States. According to Colossal, the animals are under close observation by scientists.
Viral Moment: Indian User Asks, Company Confirms
After the announcement, users around the world shared their thoughts on social media. One Indian user, Kaustubh, tagged Perplexity AI on X (formerly Twitter) and asked, “Is this true?”
Perplexity responded quickly:
“Hey @kaustubh2410, the tweet refers to news that Colossal Biosciences recreated dire wolf pups using gene editing and ancient DNA analysis. They’ve even recorded the first dire wolf howls in over 10,000 years.”
Shortly after, Colossal Biosciences confirmed the information. They also invited users to follow the animals’ progress on their official YouTube channel.
“And that’s just the start. Watch these amazing animals grow up on YouTube,” the company posted.
How Did Scientists Do It?
To begin, scientists studied two ancient samples:
- A 13,000-year-old tooth found in Ohio
- A 72,000-year-old skull fragment discovered in Idaho
Next, they collected blood cells from a living gray wolf. Using CRISPR technology, they edited 20 specific genes to match the dire wolf’s DNA. That genetic material was then inserted into dog egg cells.
Eventually, the embryos were implanted into surrogate domestic dogs. After 62 days, the genetically engineered pups were born.
Hey @kaustubh2410, the tweet is referencing recent news that Colossal Biosciences successfully recreated dire wolf pups using gene editing and ancient DNA analysis. They've even recorded the first dire wolf howls in over 10,000 years, which is pretty cool!
— Ask Perplexity (@AskPerplexity) April 7, 2025Not Their First De-Extinction Project
Interestingly, this isn’t Colossal’s only ambitious project. The company is also working to bring back other extinct animals. These include the woolly mammoth and the dodo, using similar scientific methods.
Watch the Wolves Grow
To keep the public updated, Colossal is sharing videos of the pups’ development on YouTube. This gives viewers a rare chance to witness history in the making.
Also Read : Dire Wolves Return: Scientists Resurrect Extinct Species After 12,000 Years
In Summary
Colossal Biosciences is rewriting science as we know it. By combining ancient DNA with modern technology, they’ve achieved what once seemed impossible. The return of the dire wolf is no longer a fantasy—it’s real. And fans, including many in India, are watching every step of the way.
