Dire Wolf de-extinction

[Ridge Runner]

Scientists revive dire wolf species from ‘Game of Thrones’ in world’s first known ‘de-extinction’

“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 Colossal CEO Ben Lamm.

nypost.com

Just saw this. A company in Texas has successful "made" dire wolves from DNA. While interesting brings up a lot of questions. The main one being what do you do with them? Also what's next? I wouldn't be surprised to see calls for reintroduction. Whats next? Sabertooth tigers? Although would be cool to hunt an Irish Elk.

So what are your thoughts? Where does this or should this go?

 

[wesfromky]

It sounds like more of a gray wolf then a dire - https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/04/de-extinction-company-announces-that-the-dire-wolf-is-back/

De-extinction is a pretty wild rabbit hole to go down though. It's probably pretty dated now, but was a pretty good read. The author was also on the meateater podcase as well.

https://www.amazon.com/How-Clone-Mammoth-Science-Extinction/dp/0691173117

 

[RockAndSage]

When do we get to hunt Mastadons in the Crazy Mountains?

 

[Ridge Runner]

When do we get to hunt Mastadons in the Crazy Mountains?

I would guess there is a lot higher chance of someone pushing to reintroduce them then there is of ever getting to hunt them.

 

[RockAndSage]

I would guess there is a lot higher chance of someone pushing to reintroduce them then there is of ever getting to hunt them.

Time to crowd-fund the RokRanch then...

RokRanch paleo hunts, anyone?

 

[COJoe]

I see no purpose and nor do I believe they should trying to create anything, but.... if they are looking for suggestions, then I vote the Irish elk.
No, I'm not standing by them, lol.

 

[JohnJohnson]

It's a company that genetically altered existing gray wolf DNA to make them look like what people THINK direwolves looked like. As a side note, direwolves probably didn't look like that.

 

[ozyclint]

What Kifaru pack will I need for Irish elk quarters?

 

[Trr15]

Colorado just announced that they’re introducing a population of dire wolves all over the state in 2026

 

[DapperDan]

When do we get to hunt Mastadons in the Crazy Mountains?

I’d do it with a spear while wearing a loin cloth. Only seems fair.


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[Swamp Fox]

What Kifaru pack will I need for Irish elk quarters?

All of them.

 

[MCS]

I really hope they succeed on bringing back the Woolley Mammoth and Tasmanian Tiger.

 

[long hunter]

Seems to me things go extinct for a reason, be it natural or man induced. Perhaps it’s best to let things be as they are. Ever watch Jurassic park. I for one wouldn’t want to be like the guy in the out house that got ate bye the big lizard. Some on here are bitching about re-introduction of grays what kind of damage do you think a pack of genetically modified man created dires could do. Perhaps a few cave bears thrown in would be a good thing also hell while there at might as well do a few cave men also, crazy bastards

 

[shader112]

What Kifaru pack will I need to run for Irish elk quarters?

Fixed that for you

 

[EastHumboldt]

What Kifaru pack will I need for Irish elk quarters?

You don’t wanna hunt these babies solo. Get your tribe together. Also you’re gonna need a really souped up .223

 

[Elk97]

What bullet should I use in my 6.5 Creedmoor for Irish Giant Elk?

 

[elkhunter505]

There is a specific extremely small niche where this work would be valuable at this point. That would be bringing back species that humans have driven to extinctions (black/white rhinos, can’t remember which one) and enhancing genetic diversity in the bottlenecked populations. I read through the time article and they actually cloned 4 red wolves as well. That population is completely genetically bottlenecked and could use new genes. Can’t think of too many other applications besides carnivores like Florida panthers, red wolves, etc. One could be bringing back more of the Yellowstone strain Bison but it’s kind of a potshot idea. I halfway understand their argument of doing this to see if there are other long term consequences but seems like it would be more indicative to do it with a species you could feasibly put back or augment. CRISPR is cool technology but it is a lot of power and the people that wield it need to recognize the level of power that they have in their hands.

 

[elkhunter505]

One thing that I think is wildly cool is the behavior of the two subjects in relationship to their caretakers. Despite being weaned and then hand raised, they’re apparently super skittish to humans. Gives a lot of evidence to the nature part of the nature vs nurture argument. Genes from 10000 years ago causing behavioral states is such a cool thing to see.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

What bullet should I use in my 6.5 Creedmoor for Irish Giant Elk?

A 223 will be more than adequate.

 

[ozyclint]

You don’t wanna hunt these babies solo. Get your tribe together. Also you’re gonna need a really souped up .223

Would 77tmk's wreck too much meat? I want to give that kifaru pack a fair evaluation.