Dire Wolves Brought Back from Extinction Are Now Fully Grown and Hunting Together as a Pack of 3

The bioengineered animals are eating, playing and chasing prey together after cautious introductions.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Colossal Biosciences, the company that brought back dire wolves as part of its de-extinction efforts, has announced that the three dire wolves it introduced in 2025 have now reached full maturity and are hunting together as a pack. The wolves, named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, have passed their annual health exams and are attempting to pursue larger prey like deer, though they have yet to complete a full deer hunt. The company is now working on producing more dire wolf pups, though they are taking a measured approach to expansion.

Why it matters

The successful reintroduction of dire wolves, an extinct species, is a significant milestone in the field of de-extinction and conservation biology. It demonstrates the potential for bringing back lost species and restoring ecological balance, though there are still debates over the taxonomy and ethics of genetic editing. The company's focus on the animals' health and behavior is crucial as they navigate this uncharted territory.

The details

After cautious introductions, the three dire wolves are now eating, playing, and attempting hunts together on a 2,000-acre managed site overseen by a 10-person care team. The wolves have evolved their feeding patterns to a "fast and gorge" schedule, sometimes going days without food before consuming large portions. The company has completed conservation modeling to explore theoretical rewilding scenarios, but the current wolves are not being prepared for release.

  • In 2025, Colossal Biosciences introduced the three dire wolves as part of its de-extinction efforts.
  • The wolves recently completed their annual comprehensive exams, including CT scans, MRIs, and full physical evaluations.

The players

Colossal Biosciences

A bioengineering company that has brought back dire wolves as part of its de-extinction efforts.

Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi

The three dire wolves that Colossal Biosciences has successfully reintroduced and are now hunting together as a pack.

Matt James

Colossal's chief animal officer, who has provided updates on the dire wolves' progress.

Ben Lamm

The CEO of Colossal Biosciences, who has confirmed the company's plans to produce more dire wolf pups.

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What they’re saying

“They're good at the hunting part, but they're bad at the killing part, so they brought back a very live bunny.”

— Matt James, Chief Animal Officer, Colossal Biosciences (ScreenRant)

“They've really mastered bunnies.”

— Matt James, Chief Animal Officer, Colossal Biosciences (ScreenRant)

“I think we see a full-grown dire wolf for the first time, which is really neat.”

— Matt James, Chief Animal Officer, Colossal Biosciences (ScreenRant)

What’s next

Colossal Biosciences is working on producing more dire wolf pups, though the company is taking a measured approach to expansion due to considerations around space, staffing, and facility needs.

The takeaway

The successful reintroduction of dire wolves by Colossal Biosciences is a significant milestone in the field of de-extinction, demonstrating the potential for bringing back lost species and restoring ecological balance. However, the company is navigating uncharted territory and is focused on the animals' health and behavior as they continue their efforts.