Dire wolves hunted across the Americas, preying on bison and horses. Heavier and more powerful than gray wolves, they ruled the Ice Age.
They vanished around 10,000 years ago—likely due to climate shifts, loss of prey, and rising human impact. Yet their legend endured.
Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based biotech company, is working to revive extinct species. Their next big mission? The dire wolf.
Surprising twist: dire wolves aren’t true wolves. They split from modern wolves over 5 million years ago.
That means cloning isn't possible. Scientists are instead designing a genetic proxy using advanced gene editing.
Some believe proxy predators like the dire wolf could restore ecosystem balance—much like wolves did in Yellowstone.
But others raise tough questions: ethics, habitat, and animal welfare. Are we playing God—or correcting past mistakes?