Bringing a super-sized canine back from extinction after 12,500 years might sound like a plot from a blockbuster movie, complete with dramatic special effects, but it's a reality thanks to the efforts of Colossal Biosciences. This biotech company has successfully brought three dire wolves into the world, and they now reside in a secret location in the US.

Romulus and Remus at three months oldThe masterminds behind this project, inspired by the iconic dire wolves from Game of Thrones, are Colossal Biosciences. They utilized the DNA of the common gray wolf, advanced gene-editing techniques, and domestic dog surrogates to bring Romulus, Remus, and their younger sister, Khaleesi, into existence. These dire wolves are everything a fan could dream of—enormous, white, and undeniably impressive.

“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.”

Romulus and Remus at one month oldColossal Biosciences isn't new to making waves in the scientific community. They previously engineered a Colossal Woolly Mouse, resembling a mammoth, using computational analysis of 59 woolly, Columbian, and steppe mammoth genomes spanning from 3,500 to over 1,200,000 years old. Critics argue that the dire wolves are essentially normal wolves in a fancy disguise, suggesting that the available dire wolf DNA isn't sufficient for a true genetic clone.

However, the company's ambitions extend beyond creating viral sensations and owning extraordinary pets. Colossal Biosciences aims to leverage their findings to enhance conservation efforts for current species, ensuring their survival 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, Colossal Biosciences has collaborated with the American Humane Society and the USDA to ensure their 2,000+ acre preserve meets the highest standards. These majestic creatures are cared for by a dedicated team, ensuring their well-being and comfort.