Colossal Just Made Game of Thrones a Reality in Bringing Dire Wolves Back from Extinction

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In a fascinating turn of events, Dire Wolves, once believed to be mythical figures only found in fantasy series such as Game of Thrones and The Witcher, have now made a real-world comeback thanks to Colossal Biosciences. Known for their groundbreaking work with the first Woolly Mouse, Colossal has astonished us all by resurrecting Dire Wolves from extinction. Meet Remus, Romulus, and Khaleesi, the three wolves that Colossal has introduced to the world, as seen in the video below.

The revival of Dire Wolves began by isolating two samples of genetic material, one from a 13,000-year-old tooth and another from an ear bone dating back 72,000 years. Subsequently, researchers made 20 modifications in 14 different genes, with 15 alterations directly derived from the ancient DNA findings, while 5 were based on interpretation of these ancient DNA sequences to ensure the animal’s wellbeing. These genetic variations, absent for more than 10,000 years, were then implemented.

In October 1st, 2024, I became one of the firstborn pups in our pack, with my brother close by. Fast forward to January 30th, 2025, and Khaleesi joined us as part of the second litter. We call this sprawling, secure land home, an ecological preserve that spans over 2000 acres. And yes, you heard it right! We’ve had the privilege of meeting the renowned George R.R. Martin himself, and even took a seat on the Iron Throne – though I must admit, the power felt more like soft leather than we expected!

George R.R. Martin stated that while some consider dire wolves as creatures only found in mythical or fantastical realms, they actually played a significant role in shaping the American ecosystem. In a sense, Ben and Colossal have brought about their own kind of enchantment by reintroducing these magnificent animals into our world.

A number of actors are still coming to terms with the fact that these magnificent creatures, which were previously confined to tales and legends, are now alive and thriving in the real world.

Kit Harrington expressed his awe, saying, “This is incredibly captivating! For years, I could only envision this stunning creature, and now, to actually witness its existence in reality… It’s breathtaking! The fact that a direwolf, once thought extinct, has been resurrected, evokes deep emotions. After speaking extensively with Ben and the team at ColossAl, I am inspired by their vision for the company. I believe this science has the potential to alleviate some of the damage we as a species have inflicted on nature, while reintroducing us to the great mystery and delight we’ve been losing.




Over the past fifteen years, I’ve found myself deeply connected to dire wolves, primarily through tales and on-screen appearances – that was until now. With Colossal, we’re not just witnessing the comeback of the iconic dire wolf, but a groundbreaking moment for science, conservation, and everyone who dared to dream the improbable. That’s what Sophie Turner shared.

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2025-04-08 02:09