Bringing a super-sized canine back from extinction after 12,500 years might sound like a plot from a high-budget film, complete with dramatic special effects, but it's a reality thanks to the efforts of Colossal Biosciences. This biotech company has successfully brought three dire wolves—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—into the world, and they're now residing in a secret location within the United States.

Colossal Biosciences used the DNA of the common gray wolf, combined with gene-editing techniques and domestic dog surrogates, to create these awe-inspiring creatures. These dire wolves are everything you'd expect from a mother of dragons' dream: massive, white, and undeniably majestic.

“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 Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal.

“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.”

This isn't the first time Colossal Biosciences has made waves in the scientific community. Previously, they engineered a "Colossal Woolly Mouse," essentially a mouse with a shaggy coat resembling a mammoth, using computational analysis of 59 woolly, Columbian, and steppe mammoth genomes. Critics, however, argue that the dire wolves are essentially normal wolves in elaborate costumes, suggesting that the dire wolf DNA used is insufficient to create a true genetic clone.

The company's ambitions extend beyond creating viral sensations and owning extraordinary pets. Colossal Biosciences aims to use their research to 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.”

To ensure the well-being of these dire wolves, Colossal Biosciences has collaborated with the American Humane Society and the USDA to establish a suitable 2,000+ acre preserve as their home. The dire wolves are also supported by a dedicated team of staff, ensuring they receive the care and attention they deserve.