Bringing a super-sized canine back from extinction after 12,500 years might sound like a plot straight out of a blockbuster film, complete with special effects of gnawed flesh and fake intestines. Yet, it's become a reality thanks to the efforts of some dedicated individuals. Now, the world has three dire wolves residing in a secret location in the US.

Romulus and Remus at three months oldThe mastermind behind this extraordinary feat is the biotech company Colossal Biosciences. They utilized DNA from the common gray wolf, employed gene-editing techniques, and used domestic dog surrogates to bring Romulus, Remus, and their younger sister, Khaleesi, into existence. These dire wolves are everything a mother of dragons could dream of—huge, white, and simply awe-inspiring.

“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 is no stranger to making headlines. Previously, they engineered a Colossal Woolly Mouse, resembling a mammoth in appearance, by analyzing 59 woolly, Columbian, and steppe mammoth genomes spanning from 3,500 to over 1,200,000 years old. However, critics argue that the dire wolves are essentially normal wolves in elaborate costumes, suggesting that the remaining dire wolf DNA isn't sufficient to produce a true genetic clone.

The mission of Colossal Bioscience extends beyond creating social media sensations and owning extraordinary pets. They aim to apply their discoveries to help preserve 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 these dire wolves, Colossal Biosciences has collaborated with the American Humane Society and the USDA to ensure the welfare of the animals on their 2,000+ acre preserve, where they are cared for by a dedicated team of staff.