Colossal Brings Back Ice Age Giant After 13,000 Years – ryan
For decades, dire wolves have captivated the imaginations of gamers, musicians, and fantasy fans.
From Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft to Game of Thronesthese prehistoric predators have lived on as cultural icons far more than biological realities –until now.
In a stunning scientific breakthrough, Dallas-based Colossal Laboratories & Biosciences has brought the legendary canid back from extinction, making it the world’s first successfully de-EXTINCTINCTINCTINCTINCTINCTINCTINCTINCTED ANIMAL.
Three Litters of Dire Wolves have been created so far, including two adolescent Males – Romulus and Remus – and a Female Pup named Khalesi.
“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,” Colossal CEO Ben Lamm Said.
Colossal previously created a “Woolly Mouse,” With the ultimate aim to bring the woolly mammoth back to life.
First De-EXTINCTION Breakthrough
To de-EXTINCT THE DUE Wolf, Colossal Extracted and SEQUED ANCIENT DNA from Two Fossils-A 13,000-year-old Tooth from Ohio and a 72,000-year-old inner ear bone from Idaho.
Using a novel iterative genome assembly method, the company produced the most complete dire wolf genomes to date.
The analysis revealed that the Dire Wolf Shares 99.5% of its DNA with the Gray Wolf – Aits Closest Living relative, not the Jackal as was previously believed.
The genome also uncovered unique extinct variants linked to traits such as skeletal and muscular strength, sensory adaptation, and a Thick white coat suited for Ice age climates.
Colossal used these insights to make 20 targeted gene edits Across 14 Loci – 15 of Them Extinct Variants – Eninate Gray Wolf Cells with Multiplex Gene Editing.
The edited cell lines were then screened through whole genome sequencing and karyotyping, and the most viable lines were cloned via somatic cell nuclear transfer into donor egg cells.
These embryos were then implanted and nurtured through interspecies surrogacy, ultimately leading to the successful birth of a once-EXTINCT species.
“The same technology that created the dire wolf can directly help save a variety of other endangered animals as well,” Dr. Christopher Mason, a scientific advisor and member of the board of observers for Colossal, said.
“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.”
Saving Endangered Canid Species
The Dire Wolves Now Live on a 2,000+ Acre Secure Ecological Preserve Certified by the American Humane Society and Registered with the USDA.
The entire preserve, which includes specialized engagement zones and habit types, is enclosed by 10-Foot-Tall, Zoo-Grade Fencing with Redundant Perimeter Security.
Within the preserve, the Wolves are continuously monitored through on-site live cameras, security personnel, and drone tracking to ensure their safety and welfare.
The Conservation Property will provide Lifetime Care, Feeding, and Protection for the Wolves. Once Ready, the long-lost giant canines will be moved to larger ecological preserves.
In addition to this, the De-EXTINCT STARTUP has birthed two litters of Cloned Red Wolves, the most critically endangered wolf in the world, from three different genetic Founder Lines. These litters include one Adolescent Female Red Wolf (Hope) and Three Male Red Wolf Puppies (Blaze, Cinder, and Ash).
Dire Wolves (Aenocyon Dirus) Roamed North America until their extinction about 13,000 years ago. Genomic data suggests they first emerged 2.5–3.5 Million years ago from the admixture of two extinct canid lineages.
Larger and more muscular than Gray Wolves, Dire Wolves primarily Hunted Horses and Bison.