Dire Wolves Return: Meet the First Cubs Born in Over 12,000 Years
Dire wolf pups born in 2025 through cutting-edge gene editing for the first time in 12,000 years. Witness the return of this prehistoric predator.
In a moment straight out of science fiction, a long-extinct predator has returned to the modern world. Thanks to the pioneering efforts of Colossal Biosciences, the dire wolf — a prehistoric apex predator known for its massive build and fearsome jaws — has been resurrected, at least in part, through groundbreaking gene-editing technology. This scientific milestone marks the birth of the world’s first successfully de-extincted animal: three dire wolf pups.
A Prehistoric Predator, Reimagined
The dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) once roamed North America over 12,500 years ago. Larger and more muscular than today’s gray wolves, dire wolves boasted thick, light-colored fur, broader skulls, and powerful jaws built for crushing bone. Immortalized in pop culture by HBO’s Game of Thrones, dire wolves have captured the imagination of animal lovers and paleontologists alike.
Now, for the first time in millennia, this creature walks the Earth again — in a form that’s as close to the original as modern science can achieve.
The Birth of a New Species
The three pups were born using a combination of ancient DNA, cloning, and CRISPR gene-editing technology. Colossal Biosciences, based in Dallas, Texas, began their dire wolf project in secret while simultaneously working on other de-extinction efforts involving the woolly mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger.
By analyzing DNA extracted from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull, scientists assembled high-quality genomes of the extinct dire wolf. Comparing these genomes to those of existing canid species helped researchers pinpoint 20 key genetic variants tied to defining traits of the dire wolf — like coat color, fur thickness, and skull shape.
The team then edited gray wolf cells to carry these specific traits. After successful cloning and embryo transfer into domestic dog surrogates, two male pups were born on October 1, 2024, followed by a female pup on January 30, 2025.
Where Are They Now?
The young dire wolves now reside at a secured, 2,000-acre sanctuary surrounded by 10-foot-tall zoo-grade fencing. Monitored via drones, camera feeds, and on-site staff, the wolves are currently in the early stages of social and behavioral development.
Matt James, Colossal’s Chief Animal Officer, notes that while the animals are used to human presence, they are not domesticated. “We’re seeing a lot of juvenile behavior still,” James said. “They’re skittish, cautious — but curious. As they mature, we expect to see more of the classic predator behaviors emerge.”
The pups are fed twice daily and are slowly exploring more of their habitat. While some may question whether these animals are “real” dire wolves, Colossal insists that the essence of the species has been faithfully recreated.
A Glimpse Into De-Extinction’s Future
Colossal's achievement is not just about reviving extinct species — it’s also a proof of concept. The company’s work could revolutionize conservation efforts by using gene-editing tools to preserve genetic diversity, rescue endangered species like the red wolf, and help wildlife adapt to climate change.
Two litters of cloned red wolves, the most endangered wolf species in North America, have already been produced using techniques refined during the dire wolf project. These advances could bolster conservation strategies for numerous at-risk species suffering from inbreeding and habitat loss.
Still, not everyone is convinced.
Ethical Questions and Scientific Debate
Critics argue that resources used for de-extinction could be better spent on preserving existing species and ecosystems. Others worry about the unintended consequences of gene editing and cloning.
“There’s no secret that across the genome, this is 99.9% gray wolf,” said Love Dalén, a professor of evolutionary genomics in Stockholm. “It’s more about capturing the phenotype — the look and behavior of a dire wolf. And in that sense, Colossal has succeeded.”
Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s Chief Science Officer, agrees. “These categories we use to define species are tools, not truths,” she said. “What we’ve done is recreate the functional essence of the dire wolf — its appearance, its behavior, its ecological potential.”
What Comes Next?
Colossal plans to continue growing the dire wolf population and studying their behavior. The ultimate goal? To eventually release engineered species into environments where they could play ecological roles once filled by their ancestors.
However, releasing genetically engineered apex predators into the wild is far from imminent — or guaranteed. As environmental ethicist Christopher Preston notes, “In places like Montana, we struggle to keep gray wolves alive. It’s hard to imagine dire wolves being accepted.”
For now, the focus remains on scientific discovery and ethical exploration. Whether these new dire wolves are symbols of progress or scientific hubris is still up for debate — but one thing is certain: the age of de-extinction has officially begun.