By Agboola Aluko – GLiDE NEWS | Lagos
I n what could be the most remarkable scientific feat of the decade, researchers have successfully brought the dire wolf—an apex predator extinct for over 12,000 years—back to life using cutting-edge gene-editing and cloning technology.
Three dire wolf pups were born in late 2024 and early 2025, marking the first time an extinct species has been successfully “de-extincted” with viable, living animals. The scientific team behind the project, based in Dallas, revealed that the wolves were created by combining ancient DNA from fossil remains with modern genetic tools, effectively rewriting the genome of a gray wolf—the dire wolf’s closest living relative.
The dire wolf, known scientifically as Aenocyon dirus, once ruled the North American landscape. Larger and more robust than today’s gray wolves, they featured wider skulls, dense fur, and stronger jaws. The animal’s fearsome image has also been popularized in modern pop culture through fantasy television series.
According to the scientists, DNA was extracted from two remarkably preserved fossils: a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull. The data was used to reconstruct the dire wolf’s genome and identify key genetic traits—such as coat color and fur length—that were then reintroduced into modified gray wolf cells.
These genetically edited cells underwent cloning and were implanted into domestic dogs acting as surrogates. After multiple embryo transfers, the first successful births took place: two male pups on October 1, 2024, and a female pup on January 30, 2025.
The animals are now housed on a secure 2,000-acre facility surrounded by advanced surveillance systems, including drones and live monitoring. Though the location remains undisclosed, it is certified for animal welfare and meets federal regulations.
Despite sharing 99.5% of their DNA with gray wolves, researchers emphasized that these pups display distinct dire wolf features, affirming the project’s success. Experts say the pups exhibit more skittish and solitary behavior compared to gray wolves, though they remain healthy and well-monitored.
“We’ve effectively recreated the observable traits—the phenotype—of a dire wolf,” said one leading geneticist on the project. “This is no longer just a theory. We’re witnessing the real-life return of an iconic predator.”
Scientists used CRISPR technology to alter 20 genetic variants across 14 genes, resulting in the physical and behavioral traits of the dire wolf. While some experts argue the animals are not genetically pure copies, supporters of the project say the focus was on resurrecting the species’ functional essence, not perfect genetic cloning.
Beyond the excitement, the implications are vast. The same technology has already been applied to help conserve endangered species. Notably, researchers have successfully cloned two litters of red wolves, America’s most critically endangered canid, using refined cloning techniques developed during the dire wolf project.
Experts suggest that gene editing could be used to remove harmful mutations, enhance adaptive traits, and diversify the gene pools of struggling populations.
However, ethical concerns persist. Some conservationists argue that resources might be better directed toward protecting endangered animals currently at risk. Others worry about the unknown consequences of reintroducing long-extinct species into modern ecosystems that have since evolved or disappeared entirely.
Still, the team behind the dire wolf project insists that caution and animal welfare remain central to their mission. With over $435 million in funding and additional plans to revive the woolly mammoth and dodo bird, their ambitions show no sign of slowing down.
Whether these genetically engineered animals will one day roam wild landscapes or remain in protected habitats, one thing is certain: the boundary between extinction and existence is no longer absolute.
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