Dire Wolves, creatures long thought to be purely the stuff of fantasy in Game of Thrones, have made a stunning return from extinction. Although their last known howl echoed through Earth approximately 10,000 years ago, two new dire wolf pups named Romulus and Remus—after the legendary founders of Rome—were born on October 1, 2024. Shortly thereafter, on January 30, 2025, a third pup, Khaleesi, joined their ranks.
Captivating images of these pups set against the backdrop of George R.R. Martin’s epic series have emerged, displaying Romulus and Remus perched on the Iron Throne, a clever nod to the renowned warning: “Winter is Coming.”
Below, you can view more images of these remarkable dire wolves. Continue reading to learn about the groundbreaking efforts that have revived these majestic animals and how Colossal Biosciences aims to push the boundaries of conservation.
The Feasibility of Colossal Biosciences’ Vision: The Dire Wolf as a Symbol
The remarkable birth of the three dire wolf pups ignites the curiosity of nature enthusiasts around the globe and marks only the beginning of Colossal Biosciences’ ambitious vision. In an upcoming interview with ScreenRant, co-founder Ben Lamm elaborates on two key objectives driving the company forward.
One objective is to establish a Pleistocene-like habitat in northern regions of the planet, which could serve as an ideal backdrop for potential Game of Thrones spin-offs while also supporting a range of species that have vanished from the Earth. The second goal is far bolder: to halt extinction in its tracks across the planet.
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Lamm underscores that while the birth of these dire wolves is indeed remarkable, it forms just a fraction of the broader conservation efforts being employed. Beyond resurrecting the dire wolf species, Colossal is also actively working to nurture the critically endangered red wolf population, with only about 25 remaining in the wild. Their inspired research into wolf genetics has led to the successful birth of new red wolves as part of this initiative.
In a landscape where modern cinematic portrayals like that in Jurassic World continue to adapt with new scientific findings, Colossal’s pioneering efforts provide tangible proof that the de-extinction of long-gone species is plausible. Although these dire wolves will not roam free in the wild, their existence, alongside the new red wolves slated to be released into protected areas, represents a significant shift in the landscape of conservation science.
To fulfill these ambitions, Colossal will require collaboration from governments, landowners, and conservation advocates. Yet, as winter descends, it is clear that a new era of wildlife preservation is dawning.