Dire wolf de-extinction is making headlines this week as Colossal Biosciences announced the birth of three genetically recreated dire wolf puppies — a breakthrough that’s now catching the attention of U.S. officials.
Following the announcement, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum shared his excitement about the achievement and hinted at possible changes to the endangered species list under the current administration.
Dire wolf de-extinction sparks new government vision
On April 7, Burgum took to X (formerly Twitter) to express enthusiasm about the growing potential of Dire wolf de-extinction and other biotechnology advancements. Calling it a major step for conservation science, he applauded Colossal’s work and signaled a shift from heavy regulation toward innovation.
“The Department of the Interior is enthusiastic about the possibilities that de-extinction holds,” Burgum posted. “Not only can it help bring back lost species, but it may also support broader efforts to protect biodiversity and strengthen recovery programs.”
Burgum criticized the current Endangered Species Act as too rigid, comparing it to “Hotel California” — where “once a species enters, they never leave.” He suggested that with tools like gene-editing and revival technology, the U.S. could work toward a future where species no longer face extinction at all.
Dire wolf de-extinction fuels biotech conservation push
Burgum’s message aligns with Colossal’s vision. The company’s CEO, Ben Lamm, revealed that the team used DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull to create the healthy pups. He described the project as a “magical” leap forward in conservation biology.
“Every bold innovation starts with a vision,” Lamm said. “Now, we’re seeing how technology can reshape how we protect and even revive wildlife.”
Colossal, known for its earlier creation of a hybrid “woolly mouse,” also has plans to bring back other extinct animals like the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the Tasmanian tiger. Their approach to Dire wolf de-extinction is a showcase of what’s possible in the future of species protection.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently lists over 1,300 species as endangered or threatened. With scientific advancements like this, leaders hope to move from managing risk to restoring balance — and maybe even celebrating recovered species.
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Source: www.people.com
