Dire Wolves Return: Romulus and Remus Mark First Birthday as Science Rewrites Extinction
The Dire Wolf's return was made possible by piecing together its ancient DNA from fossils tens of thousands of years old.
Published Oct. 1 2025, 10:01 a.m. ET
On October 1, 2024, a major scientific breakthrough quietly made history with the birth of two Dire Wolf pups, Romulus and Remus. This event was not just a successful birth; it was the first time de-extinct animals were brought back to life. These pups belong to a species of powerful canines that vanished over 10,000 years ago.
Months after their arrival, the world was given a powerful audio reminder of the past when their howls echoed for the first time in millennia. This achievement, led by researchers at Colossal, offers a glimpse into the future of de-extinction.
The Dire Wolf's return was made possible by piecing together its ancient DNA from fossils tens of thousands of years old. Through precise gene-editing techniques and cutting-edge biotechnology, scientists were able to resurrect a species thought to be permanently lost. The survival of Romulus and Remus is considered far more than a corporate milestone. For many in the conservation community, it is tangible proof that extinction can be reversed.
Species are now vanishing almost daily, and humans are largely to blame. Against this backdrop, the return of the dire wolf serves as a hopeful reminder that humanity may have the tools to reverse environmental damage and rewrite the future of life on Earth.
This October, Romulus and Remus mark their first year of life. To honor the wolves’ triumphant spirit, the team collaborated with Emmy Award-winning music legends Stan Bush and Lenny Macaluso, creators of classic anthems like “The Touch” and “Never Surrender.” The duo has crafted a new power rock anthem titled “Happy Birthday Dire Wolf.”
And of course, no birthday is complete without a party! The celebration included a custom, multi-layered birthday cake. Created by Mishka, a luxury dog bakery in San Francisco, the cake is handcrafted with organic ingredients and elaborately decorated with sculpted dire wolves and a moonlit landscape. The wolves were absolutely thrilled at the sweet treat and gobbled it up quickly.
“We’ve seen the excitement from the world after the birth of the dire wolves which captured the world’s imagination, and we want to share this milestone with everyone who has followed their journey,” said Ben Lamm, CEO and co-founder of Colossal. “Romulus, Remus and Khalessi are the first animals ever brought back extinction. They represent hope in the fight against biodiversity loss and proof that we can begin to restore what has been lost. The dire wolf’s story is a banner of possibility—for science, for conservation, and for humanity.”