science.sbmedia
For the first time in over 12,000 years, the howl of a dire wolf has returned.
This achievement in synthetic biology was made by Colossal Biosciences that announced the birth of pups (named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi) genetically engineered to express key traits of the extinct dire wolf (scientific name: Canis Dirus/Aenocyon Dirus).
Using ancient DNA recovered from fossils up to 72,000 years old, researchers identified crucial genetic differences between dire wolves and modern gray wolves. By editing gray wolf embryos with these genetic traits, scientists produced animals that exhibit phenotypic characteristics of dire wolves.
Born in October 2024 at a secure U.S. facility, these pups represent the first successful de-extinction event of a long-lost Ice Age predator, signaling a new era in genetic engineering and conservation biology.







