Latest news with #direwolves
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'This Isn't Jurassic Park' New Doc Explores the Science Behind the 'De-Extinction' of Dire Wolves and Other Animals
Dire wolves, the canine companions from Game of Thrones and an extinct species of the real world, are back, but how did they make their return? A new documentary plans to reveal the scientific breakthroughs that made this "de-extinction" possible. De-Extinction premieres July 17 on Curiosity Stream, and PEOPLE has a first look at the trailer for the upcoming project. The trailer for the documentary opens with a discussion of the "biodiversity problem" facing the Earth — the threat of half the world's species going extinct by 2050. Some experts who spoke with De-Extinction believe the way to combat this potential crisis is to "dig into the past and bring some of these really important species back." Colossal Biosciences is pursuing this plan, having already revived the dire wolf using grey wolf DNA, and is working on projects to bring back the giant moa bird and other extinct animals. In the trailer, the woolly mammoth and Tasmanian tiger are also mentioned as candidates for "de-extinction." The documentary promises to do more than talk about animals from the past. According to De-Extinction, the film aims to show how scientists are bringing back bygone species, and discuss the ethical dilemmas emerging from the advancement of this new field. "This isn't Jurassic Park. It's real science and real stakes, which can be much messier than people think." John Cavanagh, the doc's executive producer, teased in a statement with PEOPLE. "This is an incredible breakthrough. Genetic research has let us understand evolution like never before. De-extinction captures the potential of this moment, showing how radical science could shape the future of life on Earth. But it's also a sobering look at what's at stake," he added. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. De-Extinction will take viewers to labs around the world, where researchers are working on a variety of groundbreaking projects that they consider key to protecting the planet's biodiversity. To learn more about the science that seems straight out of science fiction, tune into De-Extinction available on Curiosity Stream starting July 17. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'This Isn't Jurassic Park' New Doc Explores the Science Behind the 'De-Extinction' of Dire Wolves and Other Animals
Dire wolves, the canine companions from Game of Thrones and an extinct species of the real world, are back, but how did they make their return? A new documentary plans to reveal the scientific breakthroughs that made this "de-extinction" possible. De-Extinction premieres July 17 on Curiosity Stream, and PEOPLE has a first look at the trailer for the upcoming project. The trailer for the documentary opens with a discussion of the "biodiversity problem" facing the Earth — the threat of half the world's species going extinct by 2050. Some experts who spoke with De-Extinction believe the way to combat this potential crisis is to "dig into the past and bring some of these really important species back." Colossal Biosciences is pursuing this plan, having already revived the dire wolf using grey wolf DNA, and is working on projects to bring back the giant moa bird and other extinct animals. In the trailer, the woolly mammoth and Tasmanian tiger are also mentioned as candidates for "de-extinction." The documentary promises to do more than talk about animals from the past. According to De-Extinction, the film aims to show how scientists are bringing back bygone species, and discuss the ethical dilemmas emerging from the advancement of this new field. "This isn't Jurassic Park. It's real science and real stakes, which can be much messier than people think." John Cavanagh, the doc's executive producer, teased in a statement with PEOPLE. "This is an incredible breakthrough. Genetic research has let us understand evolution like never before. De-extinction captures the potential of this moment, showing how radical science could shape the future of life on Earth. But it's also a sobering look at what's at stake," he added. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. De-Extinction will take viewers to labs around the world, where researchers are working on a variety of groundbreaking projects that they consider key to protecting the planet's biodiversity. To learn more about the science that seems straight out of science fiction, tune into De-Extinction available on Curiosity Stream starting July 17. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Once-extinct dire wolf pups have doubled in size in mere months after being brought back from extinction
Dire wolves vanished over 12,000 years ago but science has brought back a genetically modified version of the once-extinct breed, and now the massive creatures - as seen in Game Of Thrones - have doubled in size in mere months. Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi are growing bigger than most gray wolves. The dire wolves were created by Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based genetics company using cutting-edge technology to bring extinct species back to life, including the woolly mammoth, dodos, and Tasmanian tigers. In a newly released video, Colossal Biosciences revealed that male pups Romulus and Remus were over six months-old and weigh more than 90lb each. That is about 20 per cent larger than a standard gray wolf, making them the closest thing to a real-life dire wolf of more than 10,000 years. Romulus and Remus were born last October, while female Khaleesi was born in January, making her the youngest of the pack. In the video uploaded by Colossal, the male pups were seen running and playing together, chasing each other, and showing friendly behavior, which reflects healthy social bonding. They also seemed comfortable in their new outdoor surroundings after leaving the laboratory. Matt James of Colossal said: 'They're nice large wolves that are much more representative of what we saw in the ancient specimens.' The pups are now getting ready for their first full medical checkup, which will include CT scans and blood tests to study their bones, muscles, and internal growth. Scientists say these physical changes, like their unusually large size, show that the dire wolf genes engineered into their DNA before they were born is now actively shaping their development. The team also gave an update on Khaleesi, describing her as 'a little smaller, a little younger'. According to researchers, the female wolves are naturally smaller and tend to grow at a slightly slower pace compared to males. James said: '[Khaleesi] currently weighs about 35lb, but is still tracking about 10 to 15 per cent larger than what we have seen in gray wolves.' Khaleesi's being kept separate for now to ensure she's big enough to safely join her older brothers. Colossal's carefully watching her growth before moving to a gradual, staged introduction. In the footage, James described the pups' growth as impressive, noting they have hit all expected milestones for development. Currently, the pups are eating an adult diet of a high-quality kibble for dogs, game-grade ground meat and bones to help them develop hunting instincts. Paige McNichol of Colossal said: 'Remus is really taking on that alpha role, and Romulus is stepping down and being more subordinate in the pack.' Although Remus is slightly smaller than Romulus, he's proving to be more dominant and constantly watches his surroundings as he thinks before acting, a behavior McNichol described as crafty and calculated. That makes him more of a strategic leader, while Romulus, though physically larger, tends to charge ahead first but follows his brother's lead during interactions, a classic behavior among beta males. McNichol said: 'This dynamic may change as they grow, especially when their younger pack mate Khaleesi is introduced.' The team's slowly introducing her to Romulus and Remus, starting with visits through fences. James said: 'We're looking for really strong indicators that they are socially compatible.' The eventual goal is to release all three on to a private preserve where they can live as a functioning pack. Six months ago, Colossal made headlines when it first announced the births of the wolves, claiming to have 'brought back' the dire wolf. These pups are lab-made hybrid wolves, engineered to revive the ancient predators using advanced DNA-editing tools. Scientists compared the ancient dire wolf's DNA to a gray wolf's, identifying 14 distinct genes and made 20 changes to match DNA, resulting in them being larger and more resembling wolves. Nic Rawlence of the University of Otago said: 'To truly de-extinct something, you would have to clone it. 'The problem is we can't clone extinct animals because the DNA is not well enough preserved.' The process started by extracting ancient DNA from fossils and comparing it to the gray wolf's DNA. Scientists then made changes to mimic the dire wolf, and then they implanted it into a surrogate mother, giving birth to a genetically made dire pup. The three pups were born via this method, which Colossal calls part of its 'de-extinction tool kit'. The company says that the broader plan is to correct past ecological damage caused by human activity, including overhunting and habitat destruction. The company's site said: 'We're committed to rectifying the past and rehabilitating nature on a global scale.' For now, the team revealed the final size of the breed is uncertain, but they're looking for signs that the pups may continue growing toward the size of their ancient counterparts. Historically, extinct dire wolves stood about 3ft tall at the shoulder and reached lengths of up to 6ft, which makes them 30-40 per cent heavier than today's gray wolves. Fossil evidence suggests they could weigh between 130-150lb, according to the National Park Service.
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Dire wolves brought back from extinction have already doubled in size, new video reveals
Dire wolves vanished more than 12,000 years ago but science has brought them back, and now, the massive creatures made famous by Game of Thrones have doubled in size in mere months. Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, the first genetically engineered dire wolf pups, are growing bigger than most gray wolves. The dire wolves were created by Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based company using cutting-edge genetic engineering to bring extinct species back to life, including the woolly mammoth, dodos, and Tasmanian tigers. In a newly released video, the team revealed that Romulus and Remus, the two male pups, are now over six months-old and weigh more than 90 pounds each. That is about 20 percent larger than a standard gray wolf, making them the closest thing to a real-life dire wolf in more than 10,000 years. Romulus and Remus were born last year on October 1, while Khalessi was born earlier this year in January, making her the youngest of the pact. In the video uploaded by Colossal, the two male pups were seen running and playing together, chasing each other, and showing friendly behavior which reflects healthy social bonding. They seemed comfortable in their new outdoor surroundings after leaving the lab. Matt James, Chief Animal Officer at Colossal, said: 'They're nice large wolves that are much more representative of what we saw in the ancient specimens.' The pups are now getting ready for their first full medical checkup, which will include CT scans and blood tests to study their bones, muscles, and internal growth. Scientists say these physical changes, like their unusually large size, show that the dire wolf genes engineered into their DNA before birth are now actively shaping their development. The team also gave an update on Khaleesi, the only female of the trio, describing her as 'a little smaller, a little younger.' According to researchers, the female wolves are naturally smaller and tend to grow at a slightly slower pace compared to males. 'She currently weighs about 35 pounds, but is still tracking about 10 to 15 percent larger than what we have seen in gray wolves,' James said. Khaleesi is being kept separate for now to ensure she's big enough to safely join her older brothers. The team is carefully watching her growth before moving to a gradual, staged introduction. In the video, James described the pups' growth as impressive, noting they have hit all expected milestones for development. Currently, the pups are eating an adult diet of a high quality dog kibble, game-grade ground meat, and bones to help them develop hunting instincts. Paige McNichol, manager of animal husbandry at Colossal, said: 'Remus is really taking that alpha role, and Romulus is stepping down and being more subordinate in the pack.' Although Remus is slightly smaller than Romulus, he's proving to be more dominant. He's constantly watching his surroundings and thinking before acting, a behavior McNichol described as crafty and calculated. That makes him more of a strategic leader, while Romulus, though physically larger, tends to charge ahead first but follows Remus's lead during interactions, a classic behavior among beta males. 'This dynamic may change as they grow, especially when their younger pack mate Khaleesi is introduced,' McNichol said. The team is carefully and slowly introducing her to Romulus and Remus, starting with visits through fences. 'We're looking for really strong indicators that they are socially compatible,' said James. The eventual goal is to release all three onto a private preserve where they can live as a functioning pack. Six months ago, Colossal made headlines when it first announced the births of Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, claiming to have 'brought back' the dire wolf. The animals, made famous by Game of Thrones, last roamed North America more than 12,000 years ago before going extinct. These pups are lab-made hybrid wolves. They are genetically modified gray wolves, engineered to revive the ancient predators using advanced DNA-editing tools. Scientists compared the ancient dire wolf's DNA to a gray wolf's, identifying 14 distinct genes. They made 20 changes in gray wolf to match the dire wolf's DNA, resulting in larger, more resembling wolves. Nic Rawlence, an associate professor and director of the Otago Paleogentics Laboratory at the University of Otago, told 'To truly de-extinct something, you would have to clone it.' 'The problem is we can't clone extinct animals because the DNA is not well enough preserved,' he said. The process started by extracting ancient DNA from fossils and comparing it to the gray wolf's DNA. Scientists then made changes into gray wolf's DNA to mimic the dire wolf, and then they implanted it into a surrogate mother, giving birth to a genetically made dire pup. Romulus, Remus, and Khlaessi were born using this method, which Colossal calls part of its 'de-extinction toolkit.' The company says that their broader plan is to correct past ecological damage caused by human activity, including overhunting and habitat destruction. 'We're committed to rectifying the past and rehabilitating nature on a global scale,' the company's website states. Experts have warned that creating large carnivores, even in captivity, could have unintended consequences. Between 2002 and 2020, there were 26 reported fatal wolf attacks on humans globally, according to the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research. 'If released into the wild in large enough numbers to establish a self-sustaining population, this new wolf could potentially take down prey larger than that hunted by gray wolves,' said Rawlence. He also warned that if these lab-made hybrid wolves were to breed with wild populations, their altered genes could spread, disrupting ecosystems. For now, the team says the final size is uncertain, but they are looking for signs that the pups may continue growing toward the size of their ancient counterparts. Historically, extinct dire wolves stood about three feet tall at the shoulder, reached lengths of up to six feet, which makes them 30 to 40 percent heavier than today's gray wolves. Fossil evidence suggests they could weigh between 130 and 150 pounds, according to the National Park Service.
Geek Girl Authority
26-05-2025
- Science
- Geek Girl Authority
Coverage of Colossal's Dire Wolf De-Extinction
The announcement of the world's first de-extinct dire wolves generated substantial media coverage, with outlets bringing different perspectives to this groundbreaking scientific achievement. From science-focused publications to mainstream news organizations, the story captured widespread attention and sparked conversations about de-extinction technology and its implications. First Reactions: Between Wonder and Skepticism When Colossal Biosciences announced in April 2025 that they had successfully brought back dire wolves , media reactions blended amazement with careful examination of the scientific claims. Rolling Stone magazine ran the headline '12,000 Years Later, Dire Wolves Are Back,' featuring an interview with author George R.R. Martin to contextualize the scientific achievement alongside the dire wolf's pop culture fame. The magazine described seeing the ivory-furred pups via video as 'both adorable and awe-inspiring, noting their pointed snouts and golden eyes that harken back to Ice Age hunters.' Complex Media took an enthusiastic approach, declaring that 'dire wolves are officially back' and marveling that 'these are actual, giant, genetically accurate, scientifically verified dire wolves walking the Earth again' – not CGI or fantasy, but 'science that reads like science fiction.' The publication described the achievement as mind-bending, quoting: 'Wait, this isn't just a GoT promo? Nope. This is very real,' and calling it perhaps 'the most bonkers science story of the year.' Science-Focused Coverage TIME magazine provided one of the most in-depth scientific examinations of the achievement. Science editor Jeffrey Kluger, who was granted access to meet the Colossal pups at a secure location, detailed the 'deft genetic engineering' behind the de-extinction in a feature titled 'The Science Behind the Return of the Dire Wolf.' TIME underscored how Colossal's team 'deciphered the dire wolf genome, rewrote the genetic code of the common gray wolf to match it, and…brought Romulus, Remus, and their sister Khaleesi into the world.' The article also highlighted the broader significance: Colossal's success suggests that other extinct animals might soon follow, and it demonstrates new methods that could aid species conservation. The New Yorker also covered the story, publishing an article titled 'The Dire Wolf is Back' that explored the scientific and ethical dimensions of the achievement. This coverage reportedly broke an embargo on the announcement, releasing information before Colossal was fully prepared to share all supporting research documentation. Scientific Publications and Expert Commentary Scientific publications approached the story with appropriate rigor, examining the technical achievements and their implications for conservation biology. The announcement coincided with the publication of a research paper titled 'On the ancestry and evolution of the extinct dire wolf,' which provided scientific context for the de-extinction effort. This paper, showing that Colossal's team had generated '3.4× and 12.8× paleogenomes from two well-preserved dire wolves dating to > 13,000 and > 72,000 years ago,' offered the scientific community detailed data about the genomic work underlying the achievement. CRISPRMedicineNews published Colossal's detailed press release, which included expert commentary from scientists such as Dr. Christopher Mason, who called the achievement 'transformative' and 'an extraordinary technological leap in genetic engineering efforts for both science and for conservation.' Terminology and Framing Debates Some media coverage engaged with questions about terminology and whether the genetically modified gray wolves should properly be called 'de-extinct dire wolves.' Science communicator Hank Green produced videos examining this question, suggesting that while the achievement was scientifically remarkable, it might be more accurate to describe the animals as genetically modified gray wolves rather than resurrected dire wolves. This nuanced examination prompted Dr. Beth Shapiro, Colossal's Chief Science Officer, to respond with clarifications about how the company defines de-extinction. Referencing the IUCN Species Survival Commission's definition of de-extinction as 'the process of creating an organism that resembles an extinct species,' Shapiro acknowledged the terminology complexities while emphasizing the practical conservation applications of the technology. 'If you want to call these gray wolves with 20 genetic edits reflecting dire wolf traits, you can totally do that. You can call them proxy dire wolves or Colossal's dire wolves. No issue here,' Shapiro noted, adding that the purpose of the work was to advance conservation biotechnology rather than debate terminology. Conservation Angles Some media coverage focused particularly on the conservation implications of the achievement. Outlets highlighted Colossal's parallel announcement about successfully cloning critically endangered red wolves using the same technology developed for the dire wolf work. This aspect received somewhat less attention than the dire wolf announcement itself, despite its immediate conservation relevance. As Hank Green noted in a follow-up video titled 'Everyone Ignored Colossal's Bigger Wolf News,' the red wolf cloning achievement potentially represents a more direct contribution to ongoing conservation efforts. Conservation-focused publications emphasized how the technologies developed for de-extinction could be applied to prevent extinctions of currently threatened species. The techniques used for the dire wolf, particularly the non-invasive blood cloning method, were highlighted as potentially valuable tools for preserving genetic diversity in small populations. Indigenous Perspectives Some media coverage included indigenous perspectives on the dire wolf de-extinction. Mark Fox, Tribal Chairman of the MHA Nation, was quoted describing the dire wolf's return as 'more than a biological revival' but rather a symbol that 'carries the echoes of our ancestors, their wisdom, and their connection to the wild.' This angle enriched the media narrative by acknowledging cultural and spiritual dimensions of species restoration beyond the purely scientific aspects, though such perspectives generally received less prominence than the technical achievements. Visual Presentation The visual component of media coverage played a significant role in how the story was perceived. Photographs and video footage of the white-furred wolf pups created powerful imagery that made the abstract concept of de-extinction tangible for audiences. Media outlets frequently juxtaposed these images with artistic renderings of prehistoric dire wolves or with still images from Game of Thrones featuring the fictional dire wolves, visually connecting the scientific achievement to both paleontological understanding and pop culture familiarity. Celebrity Engagement The involvement of celebrities and well-known figures added another dimension to media coverage. George R.R. Martin's role as a Colossal investor and cultural advisor created natural hooks for entertainment publications covering the story. Other notable Colossal advisors mentioned in coverage included actors Seth Green and Joe Manganiello, and football star Tom Brady, who was quoted saying: 'The dire wolf will not only break into the pop culture zeitgeist, it will also raise awareness of what is possible in science which will inspire kids of all ages.' This celebrity component helped broaden the story's reach beyond science-focused audiences to entertainment and general interest media, increasing public awareness of both the dire wolf achievement and de-extinction technology more broadly. Ethical and Technical Discussions More specialized coverage delved into the ethical and technical aspects of de-extinction. These pieces often referenced the IUCN Species Survival Commission's guiding principles on de-extinction, examining how Colossal's approach aligned with established conservation frameworks. Technical discussions highlighted the achievement of implementing 20 precise genetic edits in a living vertebrate – a new record that demonstrates significant advances in multiplex genome editing capabilities. These discussions emphasized how Colossal carefully selected which dire wolf genes to implement, prioritizing animal welfare by avoiding genetic variants that might cause health problems. Bridging Science and Culture The most nuanced media coverage recognized that the dire wolf de-extinction represents both a scientific milestone and a cultural moment. By resurrecting an animal that bridges paleontological history and popular imagination, Colossal created a story that resonates on multiple levels. This multidimensional quality of the story likely contributed to its broad media appeal, allowing different publications to emphasize the aspects most relevant to their audiences while still conveying the fundamental scientific achievement. The diversity of media perspectives on the dire wolf de-extinction reflects the multifaceted nature of the achievement itself – at once a technical breakthrough, a conservation innovation, a cultural touchpoint, and a philosophical milestone that challenges conventional understandings of extinction as a permanent condition. THE LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER Series Premiere Recap: (S01E01) And the Deadly Drekavac RELATED 5 Great Books About Libraries and Librarians
