While the resurrection of the dire wolf has captured global headlines, Colossal Biosciences has simultaneously achieved a less publicized but potentially more immediately consequential breakthrough: the successful cloning of critically endangered red wolves. This parallel achievement demonstrates how technologies developed for de-extinction can directly benefit contemporary conservation efforts, creating a bridge between the restoration of lost species and the preservation of those on the brink of extinction.
“We try to pair every animal de-extinction event with a species preservation event,” explained Ben Lamm, Colossal’s CEO and co-founder. “And that was the red wolf.” This approach reflects the company’s commitment to demonstrating that de-extinction technologies have practical applications beyond headline-grabbing resurrections, addressing concerns about resource allocation in conservation priorities.
The red wolf (Canis rufus) represents one of North America’s most critically endangered mammals, with fewer than 25 individuals remaining in the wild. Once widespread throughout the southeastern United States, this native predator has been pushed to the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, and hybridization with coyotes. Conventional conservation efforts have struggled to reverse this decline despite decades of protected status and reintroduction attempts.
Colossal’s intervention utilized a novel approach to genetic preservation. Rather than the more invasive tissue sampling typically used in mammalian cloning, the company developed a non-invasive blood cloning technique that minimizes stress on donor animals. This methodology allowed the collection of genetic material from multiple founder lines, addressing one of the red wolf’s most critical threats: its severely limited genetic diversity.
The result has been the birth of four red wolves from three different genetic founder lines: one adolescent female named Hope and three male puppies named Blaze, Cinder, and Ash. These names reflect both their potential role in species recovery and their connection to wildfire ecology, a natural process that historically helped maintain the southeastern habitats where red wolves evolved. According to Lamm, these births have already increased the genetic pool of red wolves by 25 percent, a significant boost for a species whose small population size has led to inbreeding concerns.
The technical challenges involved in cloning the red wolf were distinct from but complementary to those of resurrecting the dire wolf. While the dire wolf project required identifying and engineering specific genetic traits from ancient DNA, the red wolf work focused on preserving genetic diversity within an existing but critically depleted gene pool. Both efforts required sophisticated reproductive technologies, including embryo development and surrogate pregnancies, creating synergies in technical development despite their different objectives.
Colossal is currently in discussions with the Department of the Interior, the North Carolina governor, and federal agencies regarding the potential integration of these cloned wolves into existing conservation programs. This collaboration represents a new paradigm for integrating private biotechnology innovation with public conservation initiatives, potentially accelerating recovery efforts for a species that has struggled under traditional management approaches.
Beyond the red wolf, Colossal has identified multiple endangered species that could benefit from similar genetic interventions. The company is developing programs for the pink pigeon of Mauritius, which was reduced to just ten individuals before conservation efforts began. By genetically editing more diversity into this population, Colossal aims to mitigate the effects of severe inbreeding that continue to threaten the species, despite its increasing numbers.
The company is also working with the State of North Dakota on technologies to help preserve its dwindling bison population, demonstrating how de-extinction methodologies can support iconic American species that, while not technically endangered, face significant genetic challenges due to historic population bottlenecks. This work includes developing advanced reproductive technologies and genetic screening tools that can help manage small populations more effectively.
These conservation applications directly address one of the most persistent critiques of de-extinction: that resources might be better allocated to saving currently endangered species rather than resurrecting extinct ones. By demonstrating tangible conservation benefits from the same technologies used for de-extinction, Colossal presents a more nuanced view wherein these approaches complement rather than compete with each other.
The connection between red wolves and dire wolves extends beyond technological considerations to ecological relationships. Both species evolved as predators in North America, although in different regions and at different times. Red wolves historically occupied southeastern forests and coastal plains, while dire wolves ranged more widely across North America during the Pleistocene epoch. Both faced extinction due to human activities, though separated by thousands of years. This parallel creates opportunities for comparative studies in predator ecology that could inform broader conservation strategies for canid species.
Colossal’s approach also recognizes the cultural significance of wolves in American consciousness. Both red wolves and dire wolves connect to deeper narratives about wilderness, predator-prey relationships, and human interactions with the natural world. By working with indigenous communities on both projects, the company acknowledges the traditional ecological knowledge that complements genetic technologies in species restoration efforts.
The economic model supporting this integrated approach combines venture capital with strategic partnerships to drive growth. The substantial funding that Colossal has raised—over $435 million since its founding in 2021—allows for simultaneous investment in both speculative de-extinction research and immediate conservation applications. This diversified approach helps address concerns about financial sustainability while maximizing the impact of technological breakthroughs across multiple species.
As global biodiversity continues to decline at unprecedented rates, with current extinction rates estimated at 100 to 1,000 times background levels, innovative approaches that combine cutting-edge biotechnology with traditional conservation have never been more urgently needed. Colossal’s integrated work on red wolves and dire wolves demonstrates how the boundary between de-extinction and conservation is increasingly fluid, creating new possibilities for preserving and restoring biodiversity in an era of accelerating environmental change.
