Colossal Biosciences has achieved what once belonged only to myth, folklore, and high fantasy. Today, the world’s first successfully de-extinct animals — two striking dire wolves named Romulus and Remus — turn one. The milestone marks a powerful moment not only for science, but for how we imagine the limits of conservation, innovation, and legacy.

When Colossal introduced the world to Romulus and Remus earlier this year, they were six months old — with their younger sister Khaleesi following closely behind at three months. These animals are not figments of fantasy or sci-fi cinema. They are living, breathing canids, born from ancient DNA through twenty precision germline edits, including fifteen directly pulled from gene variants dated over 13,000 years ago.

The dire wolf, once thought to be a prehistoric cousin of modern wolves and long popularized by the Game of Thrones series, had been extinct for over 12,500 years. Colossal changed that narrative forever — reviving not only the animal’s traits, but the scientific hope that extinction may not always be the end.

Romulus and Remus now live on a 2,000-acre ecological preserve, monitored by drones, cameras, and a ten-person care staff. Their diets are varied — ground meats, whole rabbits, ribs, and custom nutrient-dense training treats — and their days are filled with structured behavior development, environmental engagement, and physical conditioning. They are weighed weekly by a dedicated veterinary team and exhibit extraordinary physical growth. Romulus is on track to surpass 140 pounds.

Chief Animal Officer Matt James, who was present for their birth, has witnessed their transformation. “Remus is bold and fearless, while Romulus is inquisitive, cautious, confident,” he said. “We’ve never seen this before. No one has. Their evolution has been remarkable.”

To commemorate the milestone, Colossal partnered with Emmy-winning legends Stan Bush and Lenny Macaluso — the rock masterminds behind iconic anthems like The Touch — to create a new power ballad, Happy Birthday Dire Wolf, complete with never-before-seen footage of the wolves’ first year. The track blends theatrical guitars and cinematic visuals, amplifying the moment into cultural mythos.

A birthday wouldn’t be complete without cake. San Francisco’s Mishka Bakery, a luxury boutique for dogs, custom-built a three-tier wild-themed masterpiece out of liver, broth, and organic ingredients suitable for the wolves’ diet. The team behind the cake, led by chef Olia Rosenblatt, spent over 15 hours creating a 3D wolf mold for the project.

Beth Shapiro, Chief Science Officer at Colossal, underscored the significance of the wolves’ progress. “The edits worked as expected. The animals are healthy, strong, and stunning to witness. Watching their development has been extraordinary.”

CEO and cofounder Ben Lamm added: “Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi are the first animals ever brought back from extinction. They represent hope in the fight against biodiversity loss — and proof that we can begin to restore what has been lost. Their story is a banner of possibility for science, for conservation, and for humanity.”

As the company moves toward its next phase, Colossal plans to develop a full pack of six to eight dire wolves. What began as an audacious idea is now a living, running, howling reality — one that will continue to reshape how we define the possible.

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