Forget the fantasy realm for a moment – “Game of Thrones” fans, hold onto your dire wolf plushies, because real-life dire wolves may have just been brought back from extinction.
Colossal Biosciences, the biotech company behind this jaw-dropping feat, has brought three massive, furry, and slightly mythical canines back to life.
Think Ghost from House Stark in hit TV series “Game of Thrones”, but way bigger.
This isn’t just some plot twist in a TV show.
These animals, which vanished over 12,000 years ago, are essentially giant, toothy canines that used to hunt in North America during the Ice Age.
Thanks to DNA extracted from ancient fossils, Colossal managed to create three pups: Remus, Romulus, and Khaleesi (yes, that Khaleesi, because why not give them “Game of Thrones” names?).
And while they might not be as fiery as Daenerys’ dragons, they’re certainly more “dire” than your average pet (heh).
So, what makes these pups so special?
Well, imagine a grey wolf, but on a massive growth spurt.
Dire wolves weighed in at a hefty 68kgs and were about 25 per cent larger than today’s grey wolves.
They also sported muscular bodies, a stronger jaw, and larger teeth.
These little guys are already growing fast, and in a few months, the brothers, Remus and Romulus, are expected to hit 64kgs.
Khaleesi, the youngest, is still growing, but we expect her to be just as impressive in the size department.
How did this miracle happen?
Thanks to cutting-edge biotech, specifically CRISPR and gene editing, Colossal used ancient DNA from a 72,000-year-old skull and a 13,000-year-old tooth to identify key genetic traits.
After editing the DNA of a modern grey wolf, they used the information to create embryos that were then carried by surrogate dogs.
It’s like science fiction, but with a hefty dose of modern technology.
But the fun doesn’t stop with dire wolves.
Colossal’s end goal?
Reviving other ancient creatures, like the woolly mammoth.
The company’s work with dire wolves is just the beginning of their ambitious de-extinction projects.
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