Dire wolves turn one year old and get their own special birthday cake. See photos Mike Snider, USA TODAYOctober 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM 0 Happy Birthday to the dire wolves.
- - Dire wolves turn one year old and get their own special birthday cake. See photos
Mike Snider, USA TODAYOctober 1, 2025 at 10:01 PM
0
Happy Birthday to the dire wolves.
Romulus and Remus, two male dire wolves born through Colossal Biosciences' genetic engineering advances, have reached their first birthday.
The Dallas-headquartered biotech company revealed in April 2025 that two separate dire wolf litters had been born: Two male dire wolves, Romulus and Remus, were born in October 2024, and a female, Khaleesi (named after the "Game of Thrones" character), was born in January 2025.
the woolly mammoth and other animals that have long been extinct — used ancient DNA to birth three dire wolves, an animal that went extinct 13,000 years ago, the Texas-based company revealed in a press release earlier this year. Now, the wolves are celebrating their first year on Earth. Look back at their growth and story.Here, the first two dire wolves born are shown at one month old. See their growth.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Colossal Biosciences —the genetic engineering company working to bring back the woolly mammoth and other animals that have long been extinct — used ancient DNA to birth three dire wolves, an animal that went extinct 13,000 years ago, the Texas-based company revealed in a press release earlier this year. Now, the wolves are celebrating their first year on Earth. Look back at their growth and story.Here, the first two dire wolves born are shown at one month old. See their growth.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/a94j5Sb class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
Colossal Biosciences —the genetic engineering company working to bring back the woolly mammoth and other animals that have long been extinct — used ancient DNA to birth three dire wolves, an animal that went extinct 13,000 years ago, the Texas-based company revealed in a press release earlier this year. Now, the wolves are celebrating their first year on Earth. Look back at their growth and story.Here, the first two dire wolves born are shown at one month old. See their growth.
">Colossal Biosciences —the genetic engineering company working to bring back the woolly mammoth and other animals that have long been extinct — used ancient DNA to birth three dire wolves, an animal that went extinct 13,000 years ago, the Texas-based company revealed in a press release earlier this year. Now, the wolves are celebrating their first year on Earth. Look back at their growth and story.Here, the first two dire wolves born are shown at one month old. See their growth.
" src=https://ift.tt/a94j5Sb class=caas-img>Ahead of their birthday, the wolves were treated to a custom-made cake from Mishka Luxury Dog Boutique in San Francisco.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Dire wolves Romulus and Remus are now 1-year-old. They were born Oct. 1, 2024.Ahead of their birthday, the wolves were treated to a custom-made cake from Mishka Luxury Dog Boutique in San Francisco.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1GHadSA class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
Dire wolves Romulus and Remus are now 1-year-old. They were born Oct. 1, 2024.Ahead of their birthday, the wolves were treated to a custom-made cake from Mishka Luxury Dog Boutique in San Francisco.
">Dire wolves Romulus and Remus are now 1-year-old. They were born Oct. 1, 2024.Ahead of their birthday, the wolves were treated to a custom-made cake from Mishka Luxury Dog Boutique in San Francisco.
" src=https://ift.tt/1GHadSA class=caas-img>Dire wolves Romulus and Remus are now 1-year-old. They were born Oct. 1, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DRiMp0u class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
Dire wolves Romulus and Remus are now 1-year-old. They were born Oct. 1, 2024.
">Dire wolves Romulus and Remus are now 1-year-old. They were born Oct. 1, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/DRiMp0u class=caas-img>The dire wolf Remus partakes of his birthday cake.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/kltSMyG class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
The dire wolf Remus partakes of his birthday cake.
">The dire wolf Remus partakes of his birthday cake.
" src=https://ift.tt/kltSMyG class=caas-img>Colossal researchers implanted surrogate dog mothers with fertilized dire wolf eggs to bring Romulus and Remus into the world. They first created a dire wolf genome and then edited the gray wolf genome to express specific traits of dire wolves.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EGiFN9I class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
Colossal researchers implanted surrogate dog mothers with fertilized dire wolf eggs to bring Romulus and Remus into the world. They first created a dire wolf genome and then edited the gray wolf genome to express specific traits of dire wolves.
">Colossal researchers implanted surrogate dog mothers with fertilized dire wolf eggs to bring Romulus and Remus into the world. They first created a dire wolf genome and then edited the gray wolf genome to express specific traits of dire wolves.
" src=https://ift.tt/EGiFN9I class=caas-img>
Remus, a male dire wolf, relaxes. He was born Oct. 1, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1Fw3mAC class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
Remus, a male dire wolf, relaxes. He was born Oct. 1, 2024.
">Remus, a male dire wolf, relaxes. He was born Oct. 1, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/1Fw3mAC class=caas-img>Wolves became a focus at Colossal after a meeting with The MHA (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara) Nation in central North Dakota. While talking with the tribal leaders about research on buffalo and bison conservation, "they told us there's not enough going into wolf conservation," Lamm said, and began discussing the dire wolf and wolves' importance to generations of Native Americans.The dire wolf is a symbol that "carries the echoes of our ancestors, their wisdom, and their connection to the wild," said MHA Nation Tribal Chairman Mark Fox in a statement. "Its presence would remind us of our responsibility as stewards of the Earth – to protect not just the wolf, but the delicate balance of life itself."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>CEO of Colossal Ben Lamm said their team took DNA from a 13,000 year old tooth, found in Ohio, and a 72,000 year old skull to produce the healthy dire wolf puppies.Wolves became a focus at Colossal after a meeting with The MHA (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara) Nation in central North Dakota. While talking with the tribal leaders about research on buffalo and bison conservation, "they told us there's not enough going into wolf conservation," Lamm said, and began discussing the dire wolf and wolves' importance to generations of Native Americans.The dire wolf is a symbol that "carries the echoes of our ancestors, their wisdom, and their connection to the wild," said MHA Nation Tribal Chairman Mark Fox in a statement. "Its presence would remind us of our responsibility as stewards of the Earth – to protect not just the wolf, but the delicate balance of life itself."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/AOkBszy class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
CEO of Colossal Ben Lamm said their team took DNA from a 13,000 year old tooth, found in Ohio, and a 72,000 year old skull to produce the healthy dire wolf puppies.Wolves became a focus at Colossal after a meeting with The MHA (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara) Nation in central North Dakota. While talking with the tribal leaders about research on buffalo and bison conservation, "they told us there's not enough going into wolf conservation," Lamm said, and began discussing the dire wolf and wolves' importance to generations of Native Americans.The dire wolf is a symbol that "carries the echoes of our ancestors, their wisdom, and their connection to the wild," said MHA Nation Tribal Chairman Mark Fox in a statement. "Its presence would remind us of our responsibility as stewards of the Earth – to protect not just the wolf, but the delicate balance of life itself."
">CEO of Colossal Ben Lamm said their team took DNA from a 13,000 year old tooth, found in Ohio, and a 72,000 year old skull to produce the healthy dire wolf puppies.Wolves became a focus at Colossal after a meeting with The MHA (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara) Nation in central North Dakota. While talking with the tribal leaders about research on buffalo and bison conservation, "they told us there's not enough going into wolf conservation," Lamm said, and began discussing the dire wolf and wolves' importance to generations of Native Americans.The dire wolf is a symbol that "carries the echoes of our ancestors, their wisdom, and their connection to the wild," said MHA Nation Tribal Chairman Mark Fox in a statement. "Its presence would remind us of our responsibility as stewards of the Earth – to protect not just the wolf, but the delicate balance of life itself."
" src=https://ift.tt/AOkBszy class=caas-img>The wolves are continuously monitored through on-site live cameras, security personnel, and drone tracking to ensure their safety and welfare.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>The dire wolves live on Colossal's 2,000+ acre secure expansive ecological preserve, which is certified by the American Humane Society and registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The wolves are continuously monitored through on-site live cameras, security personnel, and drone tracking to ensure their safety and welfare.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/WmXpQqk class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
The dire wolves live on Colossal's 2,000+ acre secure expansive ecological preserve, which is certified by the American Humane Society and registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The wolves are continuously monitored through on-site live cameras, security personnel, and drone tracking to ensure their safety and welfare.
">The dire wolves live on Colossal's 2,000+ acre secure expansive ecological preserve, which is certified by the American Humane Society and registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The wolves are continuously monitored through on-site live cameras, security personnel, and drone tracking to ensure their safety and welfare.
" src=https://ift.tt/WmXpQqk class=caas-img>
"I think for me the most exciting thing about this project is that shows how we can use cutting edge technologies in molecular biology to help protect and preserve populations of animals that are at risk of extinction today," Elinor Karlsson, the director of vertebrate genomics at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT and a geneticist who's a member of Colossal's advisory board, told USA TODAY.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/sv0P15e class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
"I think for me the most exciting thing about this project is that shows how we can use cutting edge technologies in molecular biology to help protect and preserve populations of animals that are at risk of extinction today," Elinor Karlsson, the director of vertebrate genomics at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT and a geneticist who's a member of Colossal's advisory board, told USA TODAY.
">"I think for me the most exciting thing about this project is that shows how we can use cutting edge technologies in molecular biology to help protect and preserve populations of animals that are at risk of extinction today," Elinor Karlsson, the director of vertebrate genomics at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT and a geneticist who's a member of Colossal's advisory board, told USA TODAY.
" src=https://ift.tt/sv0P15e class=caas-img>Romulus at five months old. Using the genetic data, researchers could confirm the gray wolf as the closest living relative of the dire wolf – they share 99.5% of their DNA code.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/aBrcMqz class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
Romulus at five months old. Using the genetic data, researchers could confirm the gray wolf as the closest living relative of the dire wolf – they share 99.5% of their DNA code.
">Romulus at five months old. Using the genetic data, researchers could confirm the gray wolf as the closest living relative of the dire wolf – they share 99.5% of their DNA code.
" src=https://ift.tt/aBrcMqz class=caas-img>Khaleesi, the third dire wolf birthed by the biotech firm, was born in January 2025. She was named after the "Game of Thrones" character.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/F6XPSAL class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
Khaleesi, the third dire wolf birthed by the biotech firm, was born in January 2025. She was named after the "Game of Thrones" character.
">Khaleesi, the third dire wolf birthed by the biotech firm, was born in January 2025. She was named after the "Game of Thrones" character.
" src=https://ift.tt/F6XPSAL class=caas-img>A custom-made cake from Mishka Luxury Dog Boutique in San Francisco for the male dire wolves' first birthday.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5X9PwCk class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
A custom-made cake from Mishka Luxury Dog Boutique in San Francisco for the male dire wolves' first birthday.
">A custom-made cake from Mishka Luxury Dog Boutique in San Francisco for the male dire wolves' first birthday.
" src=https://ift.tt/5X9PwCk class=caas-img>"They are super friendly because we've raised them ... (chief animal officer) Matt (James) bottle fed them when they were just young pups. But they are starting to come into their own, where they're acting more and more like wolves."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Romulus and Remus at about three months old."They are super friendly because we've raised them ... (chief animal officer) Matt (James) bottle fed them when they were just young pups. But they are starting to come into their own, where they're acting more and more like wolves."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5GV30TH class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
Romulus and Remus at about three months old."They are super friendly because we've raised them ... (chief animal officer) Matt (James) bottle fed them when they were just young pups. But they are starting to come into their own, where they're acting more and more like wolves."
">Romulus and Remus at about three months old."They are super friendly because we've raised them ... (chief animal officer) Matt (James) bottle fed them when they were just young pups. But they are starting to come into their own, where they're acting more and more like wolves."
" src=https://ift.tt/5GV30TH class=caas-img>Remus is seen at five months old.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FZhuCcD class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
Remus is seen at five months old.
">Remus is seen at five months old.
" src=https://ift.tt/FZhuCcD class=caas-img>Romulus and Remus, two male dire wolves, snack on a birthday cake. They were born Oct. 1, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/v23pmhH class=caas-img data-headline="Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive" data-caption="
Romulus and Remus, two male dire wolves, snack on a birthday cake. They were born Oct. 1, 2024.
">Romulus and Remus, two male dire wolves, snack on a birthday cake. They were born Oct. 1, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/v23pmhH class=caas-img>
1 / 17Dire wolves re-born with biotech celebrate first birthday: See the pups thrive
Colossal Biosciences —the genetic engineering company working to bring back the woolly mammoth and other animals that have long been extinct — used ancient DNA to birth three dire wolves, an animal that went extinct 13,000 years ago, the Texas-based company revealed in a press release earlier this year. Now, the wolves are celebrating their first year on Earth. Look back at their growth and story.Here, the first two dire wolves born are shown at one month old. See their growth.
Hurricane update: 2 hurricanes off East Coast churn up danger amid 'rare Fujiwhara Effect'
"We've witnessed their physical, emotional, and social growth – something no one has seen in 12,500 years," Matt James, Colossal's chief animal officer who was present for their birth a year ago, told USA TODAY in an email exchange. "Remus is fearless and bold, while Romulus is inquisitive, cautious, and confident."
For most folks, dire wolves bring to mind the fictional "Game of Thrones" books and HBO series, as well as the Grateful Dead song, "Dire Wolf."
But dire wolves were actual predators that roamed North America alongside saber-toothed tigers and mastodons for tens of thousands of years before going extinct about 13,000 years ago. Colossal researchers used DNA recovered from a 72,000-year-old dire wolf skull and a 13,000-year-old tooth to create a dire wolf genome.
Dire wolves Romulus and Remus are now 1-year-old. Born Oct. 1, 2024, they each weigh more than 120 pounds.
Researchers then used that genome to make edits in the gray wolf genome to express dire wolf-specific traits. Fertilized eggs were implanted into and born by surrogate dog mothers. While the dire wolves are not 100% matches for their prehistoric ancestors, they are as close as the cutting-edge biotech advances, says Colossal, which first gained attention when it announced plans to bring back the woolly mammoth.
"The dire wolves are thriving – beyond anything we could have imagined," said Beth Shapiro, the company's chief science officer in a statement to USA TODAY. "Over the past year, we've learned so much from Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi. Most importantly, the edits worked as expected and the animals are healthy. You can see it in their size, strength, and their striking white coats. Watching their development has been extraordinary."
For the birthday celebration, the male dire wolves were recently presented with a cake created by San Francisco luxury dog bakery Mishka, which was made of beef pâté, broth, liver and other organic ingredients.
A custom-made dire wolf-themed cake from Mishka Luxury Dog Boutique in San Francisco for the male dire wolves' first birthday.
They also got a special birthday video with a song, "Happy Birthday Dire Wolf," created by songwriters Stan Bush and Lenny Macaluso ("The Touch," from "The Transformers: The Movie" and "Never Surrender," from the movie "Kickboxer")
The dire wolf, a graphic illustration: The colossal beast went extinct 13,000 years ago. What to know the dire wolf
Dire wolves' size: Romulus and Remus at age 1
Romulus is slightly larger than Remus, "hovering right around 120lbs while Remus is just under 115lbs," James said. "We do not have heights on them as we have not done their annual physical exam yet, but we will be doing so shortly. We expect the boys to end up between 130 and 140 lbs."
The two male dire wolves were introduced to their sister this summer, and it "has been an amazing socialization opportunity for all three dire wolves," Colossal CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm said.
"They've begun to display hunting instincts and are regularly giving chase to animals within their preserve, even catching a rabbit for the first time a few weeks ago," Lamm said. "They are developing a more clear social hierarchy with Remus taking the reins as the leader of the pack and Romulus and Khaleesi often waiting for Remus and checking in with him for reassurance and comfort. However, they will often still jostle for feeding opportunities and test Remus' status as the first to feed."
Colossal Biosciences: After dire wolf's return, Peter Jackson wants to bring back this New Zealand bird
What do dire wolves eat?
The male dire wolves currently eat more than five pounds of meat each day. They are fed once daily; their varied diet includes ground meat, stew-sized chunks, and portions of carcasses such as deer, cattle, or whole rabbits, according to Colossal.
Khalessi remains smaller and eats a bit less than Romulus and Remus, who also get to chew on rib and leg bones. They also get about ½ to 1 cup of freeze-dried beef liver, with portions depending on the daily training regimen. The wolves also occasionally hunt small rodents on the 2,000-plus-acre ecological preserve where they live.
Romulus and Remus, two male dire wolves, snack on their birthday cake. They were born Oct. 1, 2024.
At the preserve, which is certified by the American Humane Society and registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a team of 10 full-time animal care staff members helps care for the dire wolves. In addition to natural dens for the wolves, there's an on-site veterinary clinic and storm shelter.
Within the preserve, the wolves are monitored by live cameras, security staff, and drone tracking to ensure safety and welfare. Colossal also tracks their weight and body condition using a standard canid scoring system to guide dietary needs.
"They surprise the team every day. From their rapid growth and size to their willingness and excitement to accept Khaleesi into the pack," James said. "Romulus and Remus are siblings, yet they have developed individually unique personalities and even without a typical rearing by a wild wolf mother, their ability to quickly adapt to a wild life including hunting has been one of the happiest developments we have seen."
Will there be more dire wolves?
Yes. Colossal plans to create a pack of as many as eight dire wolves. "We are working with our internal team and external network of scientific advisors to make plans to grow the pack at the appropriate time," James said.
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & [email protected]
What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dire wolves get birthday cake as they turn one year old
Source: "AOL AOL General News"
Source: CR MAG
Full Article on Source: CR MAG
#ShowBiz #Sports #Celebrities #Lifestyle