Illustration of what an extinct Ise Age dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) may have looked like, based on mounted fossil material from the tar pits at Rancho La Brea, California. Illustration by Laura Cunningham Copyright 2025.

In early April, Colossal Laboratories & Biosciences claimed they had resurrected the long-extinct Ice Age dire wolf using gene editing techniques such as CRISPR on gray wolf genes. These edited genes were then inserted into eggs that were carried to term by domestic dogs. In a big press splash and social media frenzy, Colossal revealed the white-colored wolves to the world as a supposed model for the conservation of imperiled species.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum tweeted about how this “marvel of ‘de-extinction’ technology can help forge a future where populations are never at risk.” He continued, “The only thing we’d like to see go extinct is the need for an endangered species list to exist.” We all share that dream, Mr. Burgum, but true conservationists aren’t interested in sci-fi futures where near-extinct animals live in captivity for the sake of thwarting true protections.

Science does not support........

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