Science

Scientists Resurrect Wolf Extinct for 12,000 Years in Breakthrough Discovery

Scientists in the United States have resurrected the dire wolf—an ancient predator that vanished over 12,000 years ago—in what is now hailed as a major breakthrough for conservation and genetic science.

The innovation was led by Colossal Biosciences, a US biotech company that has, since 2021, been leading efforts to bring back extinct animals, including the woolly mammoth.

The dire wolf, which is the first species to be de-extincted in human history, once roamed North and South America.

After disappearing thousands of years ago, it remained only in fossils and myth, until now.

Colossal scientists took on the near-impossible mission of bringing it back to life.

Using advanced genetic engineering and preserved ancient DNA, they decoded the dire wolf genome.

They then reprogrammed the genetic code of the modern gray wolf to match that of the dire wolf and used domestic dogs as surrogate mothers.

This resulted in three living dire wolves. The oldest pair, born late last year, are five months old and are named Romulus and Remus.

Their younger sister, which is two months old, has been named Khaleesi.

The Power of De-Extinction

Colossal Biosciences says this proves that their de-extinction technology can not only revive extinct species but also help prevent the disappearance of endangered ones.

“This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works,” said Ben Lamm, Colossal’s cofounder and CEO, in a press release.

“Our team took DNA from a 13,000 year old tooth and a 72,000 year old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies.”

Founded in 2021, Colossal is also working to de-extinct other long-lost species like the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the Tasmanian tiger.

These are creatures that most people today know only through books and Hollywood movies.

With countless species now facing extinction, Colossal believes genetic engineering can stop the loss of biodiversity.

“If we want a future that is both bionumerous and filled with people, we should be giving ourselves the opportunity to see what our big brains can do to reverse some of the bad things that we’ve done to the world already,” Beth Shapiro, Colossal’s chief science officer, told Time Magazine.

Mimi Mefo Info

Tata Mbunwe

Recent Posts

Limbe Hosts 139th International Labour Day Celebrations

The 139th edition of International Labour Day is being marked in Limbe with an official…

57 minutes ago

10-Month-Old Baby Abducted in Brutal Attack on Mother

A 10-month-old baby girl, Bih Irene, has been reported missing following a violent assault on…

2 hours ago

La création d’une filiale pétrolière à Kribi sous la présidence de l’épouse du DG de la SNH crée la controverse

Un communiqué publié cette semaine a annoncé la création de CSTAR, une société de projet…

3 hours ago

Tackling Bamenda’s Waste Crisis: The Work of Pinnacle Ventures

The ongoing conflict and neglect in the city of Bamenda, North West Region of Cameroon,…

17 hours ago

Bodies of Three Missing Police Officers Found in South African River

South African police have confirmed the recovery of the bodies of three missing police constables…

19 hours ago

Attempted Baby Theft at Nkwen Hospital Thwarted, Triggers Reforms

A failed attempt to steal a newborn at the Nkwen District Hospital on April 28,…

23 hours ago