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The dire wolves from Game of Thrones, which were closely linked to House Stark, have made a real-life comeback after being extinct for nearly 10,000 years, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Colossal Biosciences, the company responsible for this groundbreaking experiment, successfully brought the long-extinct animal back to life. This achievement was made possible by extracting DNA from two fossils and editing the genetic code of a gray wolf, which is the closest living relative to the dire wolf.
The company named its two male dire wolves Romulus and Remus, paying homage to the mythological twins, while the female puppy was aptly named Khaleesi, a nod to the iconic Game of Thrones character.
Ben Lamm, CEO and co-founder of Colossal, explained that their team used a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull to create healthy dire wolf puppies.
In a fascinating twist, Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin has been involved in the project. Martin, alongside filmmaker Peter Jackson, has collaborated with Colossal Biosciences. Jackson even loaned the company the official 330-pound Iron Throne prop used to promote the HBO series. Martin, who was approached by Colossal to assist with the project, became a cultural advisor and investor for the company.
Martin shared his thoughts, saying, “Many people view dire wolves as mythical creatures that only exist in a fantasy world, but in reality, they have a rich history of contributing to the American ecosystem.”
For Game of Thrones fans, seeing the dire wolf become a reality feels like pure magic, bringing to life the legendary creatures that once roamed the Earth and were part of the show’s iconic scenes.