Elon Musk and George R.R. Martin react to real-life return of dire wolves after 12,000 years

We’ve all heard about extinct animals. But what if one of them came back? That’s exactly what happened. A species of ancient wolf, called the dire wolf, has been brought back to life after going extinct around 12,500 years ago. A biotech company called Colossal Biosciences, based in Dallas, announced on Monday that they have successfully created three dire wolf pups using DNA from ancient bones, gene editing, and cloning.
The dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) was bigger and stronger than today’s gray wolves. It had a wider head, thicker fur, and a more powerful jaw. Scientists at Colossal said they used DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull to make the pups. They modified the genes of a gray wolf, which is the dire wolf’s closest living relative.

These pups are now living on a 2,000-acre secure preserve at a secret location, protected by fences, cameras, drones, and security guards. The site is approved by the American Humane Society and registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Colossal had already been working to bring back the woolly mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger, but this is the first time they’ve made a de-extinct animal. “This is a huge milestone,” said Ben Lamm, the company’s co-founder and CEO, in a news release.

The dire wolf isn’t just a science project—it’s also famous in pop culture. The animal was the inspiration for the giant wolves in Game of Thrones. One of the new pups is even named “Khaleesi,” after a main character in the show.
George R.R. Martin, the author of the Game of Thrones books, was flown out to meet the wolf pups. Speaking to Comic Book Resources, Ben Lamm said, “I did fly George out to meet the wolves, and he cried! He said this was one of the greatest things he’s ever seen.” Martin is also an investor in Colossal and helps the company as a cultural adviser.

In a statement, Martin said, “Many people think dire wolves are just fantasy animals, but they actually played a real role in nature. I write about magic, but Ben and Colossal have created real magic by bringing them back.”
Photos of the pups went viral online—especially one of them sitting on the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. Another was featured on the cover of Time magazine, where the word “Extinct” was crossed out.

Elon Musk saw the photos and posted them on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He joked, “Please make a miniature pet woolly mammoth.”
Even the official account of Jurassic World joined in. They posted, “We see no possible way this could go wrong,” referencing the movies where bringing back dinosaurs caused chaos.
While some people have concerns about reviving extinct animals, for now, the return of the dire wolf has excited scientists, fans, and the internet.