American scientists have revived the long-extinct dire wolf. Learn how this iconic ‘Game of Thrones’ species was brought back using de-extinction technology.

Dire Wolves from ‘Game of Thrones’ – A New Scientific Breakthrough

American scientists have achieved success in their mission to bring back the extinct dire wolf—the same species popularized by the hit TV series Game of Thrones. Here’s everything you need to know about these ancient predators and the cutting-edge research that made their return possible.

What Are Dire Wolves and When Did They Go Extinct?

Dire wolves were large wolf-like predators that went extinct around 13,000 years ago.

According to researchers, lack of prey and human hunting were the primary reasons for their extinction.

How Were Dire Wolves Brought Back?

The Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences used a process called “de-extinction” to resurrect dire wolves:

DNA Extraction (2021): Scientists extracted DNA from dire wolf fossils.

Genetic Modifications: Twenty genes in the gray wolf genome were modified to incorporate key dire wolf traits—such as a larger body size and a thick, lighter coat.

Embryo Creation and Surrogacy: The altered embryos were implanted into surrogate dogs, resulting in the birth of three wolves: Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi.

What Makes These New Wolves Special?

They are 20% larger than typical gray wolves.

They possess a dense, white coat unlike standard gray wolves.

They are not fully dire wolves, as only 20 genes were altered; true dire wolves had 80 genes distinct from today’s gray wolves.

Why Is This Technology Important?

Beth Shapiro, Chief Scientist at Colossal Biosciences, believes this de-extinction technology could help save critically endangered species like the red wolf. It also offers a potential pathway to revive other extinct creatures. In fact, Colossal aims to use this method to bring back the woolly mammoth by 2028.

What Challenges Lie Ahead?

Experts note that the new wolves are not entirely dire wolves and have been raised in captivity.

If released into the wild, they would face competition with gray wolves and need smaller prey to survive.

Ongoing difficulties in conserving existing wolf species raise questions about the feasibility and ethics of such experiments.

Conclusion

These breakthroughs in biotechnology demonstrate the remarkable potential of de-extinction methods but also highlight the challenges of conserving and reintroducing long-gone species into modern ecosystems. While the rebirth of the dire wolf is undoubtedly a scientific triumph, its long-term viability in the wild remains to be seen.