Scientists unveil the world's first successfully de-extincted animal

A species of wolf that became extinct approximately 12,500 years ago has now been resurrected by researchers who used ancient DNA samples of the species and combined that with bioengineering.

The achievement has been made by Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences who created three dire wolf pups by using ancient DNA of the species and advanced technologies such as cloning and gene-editing tools. The researchers took the ancient DNA and by using the aforementioned tools they combined it with the genes of a gray wolf, which is the dire wolf's closest living relative. The result is a hybrid of both species that has an extremely similar appearance and structure to its extinct ancestor.

"This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works," said Ben Lamm, Colossal's cofounder and CEO, in a news release. "Our team took DNA from a 13,000 year old tooth and a 72,000 year old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies."

Dire wolves aren't the only species Colossal is working on resurrecting, as the company has been developing methods of bringing back the Woolly Mammoth, the Dodo bird, and the Tasmanian tiger. However, this is the first achievement the company has publicized. The three dire wolves that have been brought to live are currently living on a 2,000-acre site enclosed by a 10-foot-tall "zoo-grade" fence where security personnel, drones, and live camera feeds constantly monitor them.

For those who are wondering if this is all legal, Colossal has said the American Humane Society has signed off on the project, and the facility has been registered with the US Department of Agriculture.

"This massive milestone is the first of many coming examples demonstrating that our end-to-end de-extinction technology stack works. Our team took DNA from a 13,000 year old tooth and a 72,000 year old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies," said Ben Lamm, Colossal's cofounder and CEO