Colossal Biosciences, a US-based biotechnology company behind the recovery of direwolves from extinction, has revealed that pups produced last year were ready to breed.
This is the first case in the last 12,000 years in which direwolves will reproduce on Earth.
The genetically modified animals, named Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi, were developed using ancient DNA and gene editing technology by the Texas-based company.
The company says the wolves have reached reproductive age and could become the basis of the world’s first revived direwolf population.
Direwolves once roamed North America during the Ice Age and were known for their larger size and stronger jaws compared to modern gray wolves. The species later gained worldwide popularity after appearing on the hit HBO series. Game of Thrones.
Scientists involved in the project reportedly modified gray wolf embryos using genetic material recovered from ancient dire wolf fossils. Currently, the animals are located within a secure ecological reserve in the United States.
Colossal Biosciences has announced plans to create more pups later this year to increase genetic diversity before allowing wolves to reproduce naturally.
Several researchers maintain that the animals are not true dire wolves, but genetically altered gray wolves designed to resemble the extinct predator.
Experts have also expressed concern about the ethical and environmental consequences of the possible reintroduction of such species into modern ecosystems.
