Dire Wolves are back—but not how you think

If you thought dire wolves were just fantasy creatures from Game of Thrones, think again. These powerful Ice Age predators were very real—and now, thanks to modern science, they're making headlines again.

This week, Texas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences announced the birth of three wolf pups they say mark the world’s first successful “de-extinction” of a dire wolf–like species. The pups, named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, are the result of advanced gene-editing efforts aiming to bring back extinct animals.

So… are these actual dire wolves from 13,000 years ago?

Not exactly. While the pups aren’t cloned directly from ancient DNA, they were engineered using modern canines and fragments of dire wolf genetic material. Using DNA from fossilized bones and a process called CRISPR, scientists were able to edit the genes of living wolf-dog hybrids to express traits of the extinct species—like larger skulls, powerful jaws, and thick Ice Age fur.

In other words: these animals aren’t 1:1 clones, but they do carry the DNA legacy of a species that hasn’t walked the Earth in over 10,000 years.

Why Bring Back the Dire Wolf?

Dire wolves were once among North America's top predators, roaming the continent in packs and preying on bison, horses, and even mammoths. They went extinct around 13,000 years ago, likely due to climate change and shifting food supplies.

Bringing them back isn’t just about making headlines—it’s part of Colossal's broader mission to restore extinct species, help balance ecosystems, and push the boundaries of conservation science. The same company is also working on reviving the woolly mammoth and Tasmanian tiger.

Should We Be Excited… or Worried?

Some people see this as a revolutionary step toward ecological restoration. Others worry about the ethical and environmental risks of bringing back extinct predators. Can they survive in today’s world? Should we reintroduce them to the wild? And what happens if we get it wrong?

For now, Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi are healthy and under careful observation in a controlled environment. But their birth marks a turning point in science—a glimpse into a future where extinction might not be forever.