FAR

FROM

FICTION

A verifiable, essential apex predator who left behind troves of evidence of both its existence and impact to the ecosystem—and whose mythos continues beyond legend to this day.

Dire

Wolf

AENOCYON
DIRUS
CSL—LBS

FARFROMFICTION

A verifiable, essential apex predator who left behind troves of evidence of both its existence and impact to the ecosystem—and whose mythos continues beyond legend to this day.

AENOCYON
DIRUS
CSL—LBS

MAKING EXTINCTION
A THING OF THE PAST

On October 1, 2024, for the first time in human history, Colossal successfully restored a once-eradicated species through the science of de-extinction. After a 10,000+ year absence, our team is proud to return the dire wolf to its rightful place in the ecosystem. Colossal’s innovations in science, technology and conservation made it possible to accomplish something that's never been done before: the revival of a species from its longstanding population of zero.

MAKING THE DIRE WOLF

MAKING EXTINCTION
A THING OF THE PAST

MEET

MEET

THE

PACK

The Lone Lineage of the Dire Wolf

Dire wolves, though visually similar to today's gray wolves and jackals, had a distinct genetic lineage. Unlike with the gray wolf and jackal, which can produce hybrid offspring with related species, there is no current data showing interbreeding between dire wolves and other canids.

[ DW—PUP 001 ]

REMUS

SPECIES

Dire Wolf

AGE / SEX

6 months

Male

[ DW—PUP 002 ]

ROMULUS

SPECIES

Dire Wolf

AGE / SEX

6 months

Male

[ DW—PUP 003]

KHaleesi

SPECIES

Dire Wolf

AGE / SEX

3 months

Female

[ DW—PUP 001 ]

REMUS

SPECIES

Dire Wolf

AGE / SEX

6 months

Male

[ DW—PUP 002 ]

ROMULUS

SPECIES

Dire Wolf

AGE / SEX

6 months

Male

[ DW—PUP 003]

KHaleesi

SPECIES

Dire Wolf

AGE / SEX

3 months

Female

THE MANY PHASES OF PACK

Generation
Zero

Like all mammals, dire wolves experience a number of physical and cognitive changes as they mature from newborn pups into fully-grown adults. As our pack makes significant progress of its own, Colossal is 100% committed to maintaining transparency without compromising the integrity, health, comfort or

safety of any species. Thus, we invite you to follow their journey in real time via the interactive dire wolf development tracker below. Join us in watching Litter 01 transition through various stages of their development, reaching critical growth and behavioral milestones along the way.

EMBRYO

ULTRASOUND

BIRTH

1 MONTH

3 MONTHS

5 MONTHS

TIMELINE OVERVIEW

neonatal

0-2 weeks

Born blind, deaf and with little sense of smell.

Nursing pups feed four or five times a day.

transitional

2-4 weeks

Eyes open and are blue at 11-15 days.

Begin to stand, walk, growl and chew.

Socialization

3-12 weeks

Ears begin to raise; hearing improves significantly.

Gradual process of weaning begins.

Ranking

3-6 months

Period of rapid growth.

Pups begin to join hunting trips.

Adolescence

6-18 months

Can now travel with pack.

End of skeletal growth.

Adult

+18 Months

Developmental growth complete.

Intelligent, with strong problem-solving skills.

CSL LABS [ DW-024 ]

watch their first 6 months of life

[ COLOSSAL LABS /// video module ]

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DIRE WOLF

OUR CONSERVATION PARTNERS

TOGETHER WE CAN RESTORE
CRITICAL SPECIES

Learn More About Our
Conservation Partners +

[Aenocyon Dirus]

GETexclusive

DireWolf

content

Stay up to date on the latest dire wolf news and pack developments. Members gain early access to Colossal’s insider info, real-time updates and exclusive content.

Follow Their Journey 0021—X1

GET

exclusive

Dire

Wolf

content

Stay up to date on the latest dire wolf news and pack developments. Members gain early access to Colossal’s insider info, real-time updates and exclusive content.

Follow Their Journey

NOANIMALSWEREHARMED

[ LIFE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE ]

AMERICANHUMANE.ORG

Since 1877, American Humane has been the gold standard in animal welfare organizations. Having championed for the safety and wellbeing of animals for over 147 years, their mission ensures that the world’s most vulnerable living beings are protected by an enlightened and compassionate society.

Colossal has achieved American Humane Certification, the prestigious designation ensuring excellence in animal welfare and care. Optimal welfare is evidenced by spacious habitats with ample space and opportunity for animals to socialize, exercise, and exhibit natural behaviors. Staff are passionate, highly engaged and devoted to the animals in their care.

We congratulate Colossal as a shining example of excellence in humane care and welfare. The technology they are pursuing may be the key to reversing the sixth mass extinction and making extinction events a thing of the past.

Robin R. Ganzert

Chief Executive Officer
American Humane

CARING FOR DIRE WOLVES

At Colossal, animal welfare is our top priority. For more details about the dire wolves’ immersive habitat and comprehensive care, download our Animal Care guide.

Download the Animal Care PDF

De-extinction
is critical
for
conservation

QUOTATION MODULE

“Since the dawn of our nation, it has been innovation—not regulation—that has spawned American greatness. The revival of the dire wolf heralds the advent of a thrilling new era of scientific wonder, showcasing how the concept of “de-extinction” can serve as a bedrock for modern species conservation. The dire wolf revival is more than a scientific triumph, it carries profound cultural significance as it embodies strength and courage that is deeply encoded within the DNA of American identity and tribal heritage.”

Doug Burgum U.S. Secretary of the Interior

NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED

Since 1877, American Humane Society has been the gold standard in animal welfare organizations. Having championed for the safety and wellbeing of animals for over 147 years, their mission ensures that the world’s most vulnerable living beings are protected by an enlightened and compassionate society.

AMERICANHUMANE.ORG

Robin R. Ganzert

Chief Executive Officer
American Humane Society

CARING FOR DIRE WOLVES

At Colossal, animal welfare is our top priority. For more details about the dire wolves’ immersive habitat and comprehensive care, download our Animal Care guide.

Download the Animal Care PDF

De-extinction
is critical for conservation

Read Department of Interior's Official Statement

Official Statement ↗

QUOTATION MODULE

Doug Burgum U.S. Secretary of the Interior

WOLVES ARE
VERY DANGEROUS
TO HUMANS.

Wolves are generally
wary of humans and
avoid interactions.

Wolf attacks on humans are extremely rare. In North America, there have been only a handful of documented cases in over a century. Most wolves prefer to flee rather than confront humans.

DOMESTIC DOG

Domestic dogs are responsible for approximately 30 to 50 fatalities annually in the United States alone.

COW

Cows are responsible for approximately 20 to 22 fatalities each year due to incidents involving cows, such as being trampled or kicked.

NATURAL EVENTS

NATURAL EVENTS Lightning strikes kill about 20 individuals in the U.S. each year.

HORNET, WASP,
AND BEE

Hornets, wasps, and bees are responsible for about 60 human fatalities each year in the U.S.

DEER COLLISION
WITH VEHICLES

DEER COLLISION WITH VEHICLES Without natural predators like wolves, deer populations have grown unchecked, leading to more deer-vehicle collisions. In the U.S., about 1.5 million such collisions occur annually, resulting in roughly $10 billion in damage, over 440 human fatalities, and more than 59,000 injuries.

In a world where humans are rapidly eroding the environment, species (especially wolves) need allies.

"One of the most impactful ways to be an ally is to use science to help discover and preserve lost genes, genetic diversity, and phenotypes. We now have the technology that can edit DNA to increase resilience in species that are facing extinction or to revive extinct genetic diversity and species. We get to witness the de-extinction of the dire wolf, which is a marvel of scientific progress, and just the start of numerous species we can bring back to create a better, more habitable, and balanced world. I am beyond thrilled that such technologies are also being leveraged to support programs of preventing extinction in endangered species like the red wolf."

Bridgett vonHoldt, Ph.D. Evolutionary Biologist