Dire wolves are alive again after 12,500 years: Everything you need to know about their return and extinction
Scientists have brought dire wolves back from extinction after 12,500 years ¡ª and here¡¯s everything you should know. Using ancient DNA and breakthrough genetic tech, researchers have revived this Ice Age predator. What does it mean for science, nature, and our future? Here's the full story behind their wild return.
They once roamed the wilds alongside mammoths and saber-toothed cats. Now, after more than 12,000 years in nature¡¯s history bin, dire wolves are officially back ¡ª and this time, it¡¯s not fantasy fiction or CGI magic.
It¡¯s real science, and it¡¯s wild. So what are dire wolves and how are they back? Here¡¯s everything you need to know.
SOUND ON. You¡¯re hearing the first howl of a dire wolf in over 10,000 years. Meet Romulus and Remus¡ªthe world¡¯s first de-extinct animals, born on October 1, 2024.
¡ª Colossal Biosciences? (@colossal) April 7, 2025
The dire wolf has been extinct for over 10,000 years. These two wolves were brought back from extinction using¡ pic.twitter.com/wY4rdOVFRH
What are dire wolves?
Dire wolves were the heavyweights of the prehistoric canine world. One can think it of a regular grey wolf ¡ª then make it bigger, bulkier, and much more powerful. These predators stood over a metre tall at the shoulder and hunted large Ice Age animals like bison and ground sloths.
Unlike their fantasy counterparts (yes, Game of Thrones fans, we see you), real dire wolves lived in North America and disappeared around 12,500 years ago, likely due to climate change and the loss of prey.
Until now, they were just fossils and myths ¡ª fascinating, but gone.
We¡¯re Colossal Biosciences, the de-extinction company responsible for bringing back the first animals from extinction. Our dire wolf pups, Romulus and Remus, were born on October 1, 2024. Watch these pups grow up on our YouTube channel. Link in bio.
¡ª Colossal Biosciences? (@colossal) April 7, 2025
These two wolves were¡ pic.twitter.com/hbk1wFQ3lf
Bringing back the beast
Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based biotech company that¡¯s been working on de-extinction projects, including the woolly mammoth and now, the dire wolf.
By extracting DNA from two fossil specimens like tooth and ear ¡ª one roughly 12,000 years old, another over 70,000 ¡ª they managed to piece together the most complete dire wolf genome ever.
Using CRISPR gene-editing technology, scientists then took embryos from modern grey wolves and carefully modified 14 genes responsible for key traits like skull size, jaw strength, fur density, and muscle mass. The result? A wolf that walks, howls, and looks almost exactly like its Ice Age ancestor.
'This is precision engineering, using ancient DNA as a map to bring lost species back to life.¡¯ said Colossal in a statement.
Meet the first modern dire wolves
On 1 October 2024, two pups named Romulus and Remus were born. A third, named Khaleesi, followed soon after. These aren¡¯t pets or display animals but they¡¯re carefully monitored members of a bold new conservation experiment.
Meet Romulus and Remus¡ªthe first animals ever resurrected from extinction. The dire wolf, lost to history over 10,000 years ago, has returned. Reborn on October 1, 2024, these remarkable pups were brought back to life using ancient DNA extracted from fossilized remains.
¡ª Colossal Biosciences? (@colossal) April 7, 2025
Watch¡ pic.twitter.com/XwPz0DFoP5
The trio now lives in a 2,000-acre preserve known as ¡®Zone Alpha¡¯, located somewhere in the northern United States. The site is fitted with high-security fencing, drone surveillance, and a dedicated animal care team.
For now, the wolves are being raised on a mix of meat ¡ªbeef, venison, horse ¡ªand are expected to move toward a more natural, whole-prey diet as they grow.
On 1 October 2024, two pups named Romulus and Remus were born. (Credit: X)
A glimpse into the future?
Colossal made deliberate choices in the gene-editing process to prioritise animal health. For example, the original dire wolves likely had white fur, but the gene responsible also carried a risk of deafness or blindness.
Rather than recreate that problem, scientists swapped in a modern gene that mimics the fur colour without the side effects.
This project may seem like a one-off wonder, but for Colossal, it¡¯s just the beginning. ¡®By achieving this, we continue to push forward our broader mission - accepting humanity¡¯s duty to restore Earth¡¯s healthier state.¡¯ they said in a statement on X. (Formerly Twitter)
For the first time in over 10,000 years, the world is hearing a sound that once echoed across the ancient plains ¡ª a dire wolf¡¯s howl.
And it might be the first of many.
Kriti Shukla is a lifestyle journalist with over two years of experience, writing about celebrity fashion, beauty, and culture. She covers trends both on and off the red carpet, with a sharp editorial eye and a knack for spotting what¡¯s current. Based in Delhi, Kriti blends her love for glamour and culture with a deep understanding of the zeitgeist.
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