The extinct species of the wolf from the Game of Thrones could be restored to life

The American biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences announced on Monday that with the help of genetic engineering tools it created wolves to have the features of a prehistoric terrible wolf (Aenocyon Dirus), which was extinct about 12.5 thousand years ago. Three puppies were born, currently in a “safe place”, whose location was not disclosed.

Scientists from Colossal tested the bottom of terrible wolves from the tooth from 13,000 years ago and fragments of the skull from 72 thousand. years, found in the United States. Then they modified the genes of the gray wolf and transferred this genetic material to the egg dog's egg. Ultimately, three individuals of extremely large and thick, light coat, unprecedented gray wolves, survived.

According to the New York Times, two males are currently at the age of six months and bears the names of Romulus and Remus. The female named Khaleesi is younger, she is only 2 months old. This last name is a reference to the HBO series “Game of Thrones” in which this species appeared.

Colossal claims that the wolves she created is “the world's first animals effectively lively after extinction.” Independent scientists, however, are more cautious. “Currently, you can only make something look like something different and not fully liven up extinct species,” said a biologist from Buffalo Vincent Lynch University, who did not participate in these studies.

In an interview with the magazine “New Scientist” Beth Shapiro from Colossal explained that everything depends on the adopted definition of the species. “We use a morphological definition and say that if [szczenięta – przyp. red.] They look like belonging to this species, they can be considered its representatives, “she said.

Colossal Biosciences hopes that the technology they developed can help protect species that have not yet become extinct. Among them is a critically threatened Rudy Wolf (Canis Rufus), which has already become extinct in the wild and has now been reintroduced in North Carolina.