"Science Revives Extinct Dire Wolves"

Bringing a super-sized canine back from extinction after 12,500 years might sound like a plot from a blockbuster movie complete with special effects showcasing gnawed flesh and buckets of fake intestines. However, this isn't fiction; it's reality. The world now has three dire wolves living in a secret location in the US, thanks to the efforts of some very determined individuals.

The masterminds behind this feat are none other than the biotech company Colossal Biosciences. They harnessed the power of DNA from the common gray wolf, employed advanced gene-editing techniques, and used domestic dog surrogates to bring to life Romulus, Remus, and their younger sister, Khaleesi. These puppies are the epitome of what any Game of Thrones enthusiast might dream of—enormous, majestic, and strikingly white.

“I could not be more proud of the team. This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works,” said CEO of Colossal Ben Lamm.

“Our team took DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies. It was once said, ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ Today, our team gets to unveil some of the magic they are working on and its broader impact on conservation.”

This isn't Colossal Biosciences' first foray into the headlines. They previously engineered a Colossal Woolly Mouse, a creature resembling a mammoth, using computational analysis of 59 woolly, Columbian, and steppe mammoth genomes ranging from 3,500 to over 1,200,000 years old. While the company has its critics, who argue that the dire wolves are essentially normal wolves dressed up in genetic costumes, Colossal Biosciences remains undeterred.

The company's mission extends beyond creating social media sensations and owning extraordinary pets. Their ultimate goal is to leverage their findings to aid in the preservation of current species for future generations.

“The de-extinction of the dire wolf and an end-to-end system for de-extinction is transformative and heralds an entirely new era of human stewardship of life,” said Dr. Christopher Mason, a scientific advisor and member of the board of observers for Colossal.

“The same technologies that created the dire wolf can directly help save a variety of other endangered animals as well. This is an extraordinary technological leap in genetic engineering efforts for both science and for conservation as well as preservation of life, and a wonderful example of the power of biotechnology to protect species, both extant and extinct.”

As for the dire wolves themselves, Colossal Biosciences has collaborated with the American Humane Society and the USDA to ensure their 2,000+ acre preserve meets the highest standards. These superstars are well-cared for by a dedicated team of staff, ensuring they thrive in their new environment.