Dire Wolf Howls to be Released by Colossal Labs

Colossal Labs and the Revival of the Dire Wolf

During a panel discussion at SXSW London, Ben Lamm, the billionaire founder of Colossal Labs, and actress Sophie Turner discussed the company’s groundbreaking work in attempting to restore the extinct dire wolf to life.

The dire wolf experienced a resurgence in popularity thanks to its prominent role in the television series “Game of Thrones,” where Turner played a central character. Interestingly, Turner herself initially believed these wolves were purely fictional.

A Conversation at SXSW

“Were you a follower of ‘Game of Thrones’?” Turner inquired.

“I was a fan of ‘Game of Thrones’,” Lamm responded. “When the show originally aired, the idea of actually recreating creatures like dire wolves or dragons never crossed my mind.”

Lamm then detailed the process undertaken by his team at Colossal to “bring back” the dire wolf, a species that vanished over 10,000 years ago. He also shared insights into the company’s subsequent projects, including a recently announced bio-acoustic initiative.

Early Development and Behavioral Studies

The dire wolves created by Colossal began vocalizing, or howling, at just three weeks of age, demonstrating a responsiveness to human singing and the calls of owls. Currently, the first two specimens, named Romulus and Remus, are approximately six months old.

Lamm’s team is actively exploring the use of artificial intelligence to monitor the wolves’ behavior, aiming to identify emotional patterns and decipher what he termed “wolf linguistics.”

“It’s remarkable that these dire wolves possess a distinct pitch and inflection in their vocalizations,” Lamm explained to the audience. “We plan to publish the findings of our bio-acoustic project, mapping the various types of dire wolf howls, later this year.”

Habitat and Socialization

The wolves inhabit a 2,000-acre preservation area, the location of which remains confidential. Lamm described the environment as being “very similar to Yellowstone National Park.”

The preserve is equipped with a dedicated animal hospital, as well as a team of full-time caretakers and security personnel. The wolves are undergoing socialization training designed to prepare them for potential life in the wild.

“They are beginning to engage in limited predatory behavior within the preserve,” Lamm stated. “With each passing day, they exhibit increasingly natural wolf-like characteristics.”

The team is preparing to introduce Romulus and Remus to a newly created female dire wolf, Khaleesi, who is currently three months old.

Public Reaction and Future Projects

Colossal Labs’ efforts to “de-extinct” animals have been met with both widespread fascination and considerable skepticism, particularly concerning whether the created wolves are, in fact, true dire wolves or genetically modified gray wolves.

Despite the debate, investors have shown significant interest in the company’s innovative approach. Reports indicate that Colossal is also considering the revival of the Tasmanian tiger and the dodo bird. In March, the company secured $200 million in Series C funding, achieving a valuation of $10.2 billion, and announced the successful genetic modification of mice to grow mammoth-like fur – a feat accomplished in just one month, according to Lamm.

The Question of Dinosaurs

Turner posed a question frequently directed at Lamm: “What about dinosaurs? Is it possible to bring them back?”

Lamm clarified that his company is not currently focused on dinosaur resurrection due to the inherent complexities involved. However, he hinted at a potential forthcoming announcement from Colossal.

“I anticipate that we may have an update regarding the dodo bird this summer,” he revealed.

Clarification and Correction

Update: This report has been revised to provide further clarity regarding the concerns surrounding Colossal’s dire wolf program.

Colossal Labs has expressed concerns about a link included in this article, stating it contains inaccurate information. A spokesperson, Emily Mailaender, indicated a misquote attributed to Beth Shapiro. The company is seeking a correction from the media outlet. TechCrunch has stated it will remove the link if a retraction is issued.