Table of Contents
Introduction
The Dire Wolf? Isn’t that a giant wolf from the Ice Age?
But Dire Wolf is fictional, right? Game of Thrones just made them up!
Is it true that scientists brought them back?
How is it even possible to resurrect an animal that’s been dead for 10,000 years?
The list of questions goes on and on… but what is the actual truth?
To understand the whole story, let’s get back to where it all began.
In this blog, we will explore the real history of the dire wolf and the science behind this resurrection. How have they done it, and more. With just real facts and explanation, we will understand how this extinct creature has been converted from fiction to walking in flesh.
Not only that, this resurrection will teach us how we can evolve into the most powerful version with the Silva Method!
Keep reading until the end!
What Was a Dire Wolf?
The dire wolf, scientifically known as Aenocyon dirus, was the most formidable predator of the Late Pleistocene Epoch, roaming the Americas from about 125,000 to 10,000 years ago. The dire wolf was different from the modern gray wolf, though they had similar appearances, but they were completely different.
It was larger and 38 inches tall, and weighed between 59 and 68 kg. They were bulkier and built for massive prey. Due to their strong jaws, they were known as scavengers and could crush bones. They exclusively lived in North and South America, but according to the 2021 study, it has been confirmed that they couldn’t interbreed with other canines, which limits their options for adaptability and survival.
Here’s the Shocking Truth: Dire Wolves Aren’t Wolves?!
For over a decade, scientists assumed dire wolves were a larger version of the modern gray wolves. But in 2021, a DNA study became the biggest plot twist. The researchers used advanced techniques to extract the ancient DNA from dire wolf fossils and found that they belonged to a different species, which is known as Aenocyon dirus (terrible dog). Unlike gray wolves and coyotes, which can interbreed with each other, dire wolves are genetically distant and cannot mate with other canines.
Why did the Ice Age Predator- the Dire Wolf Go Extinct?
The ice age predator, dire wolves, ruled for thousands of years and hunted across North and South America. They hunt massive prey like bison, ancient horses, and young mammoths and are known as the dominant force in the ecosystem.
But then, it’s been 10,000 years since they disappeared. But what happened?
Here are a few reasons backed by multiple scientific studies, reports from paleontologists, and evolutionary biologists claim that:
- Climate Change: It is claimed that when the Pleistocene epoch ended, the Earth’s climate eventually warmed up. This results in affecting the habitat of large predators like the dire wolf.
- Extinction of Megafauna: Dire wolves especially hunt large herbivores like Bison, Ancient horses, Young mammoths, etc. But when these megafauna went extinct, dire wolves lost their food source, and due to their habit of large-prey hunting, they couldn’t move to smaller prey.
- Genetic Isolation: As revealed in the genetic study of 2021, the dire wolves were not directly related to modern gray wolves, which means they couldn’t interbreed with other wolves.
- Human Influence: Due to humans hunting large herbivores on which the dire wolves depend, they lose their source of food. Along with that, environmental issues like fire and overhunting made it difficult for dire wolves to survive.
But, here is the real question: if dire wolves went extinct over 10,000 years ago, then why did Colossal Biosciences suddenly decide to bring them back?
Why Did Colossal Biosciences Bring Back the Dire Wolf?
The Dire Wolf became extinct over 10,000 years ago, but scientists and conservationists were fascinated by this powerful predator. And now, Colossal Biosciences- An American biotechnology and genetic engineering company that is known for its de-extinction projects- has set its intention to bring back the dire wolf. Here are the reasons behind their intentions:
- To balance the ecosystem Colossal claimed that by reviving the dire wolf, we can have a balanced ecosystem. Due to the apex predators like dire wolves, the populations of herbivores were in control, which resulted in a healthy environment. So, by restoring these species, they were hoping to regain that lost balance.
- Colossal through this project acts as a challenge to prove their leap in science and technology. According to the 2021 DNA study, the dire wolves were found genetically distinct from modern gray wolves, and to revive them, adapting to genetic engineering, genome editing, and reproductive technology is required. Through this project, they have proved that today’s advanced biotechnology can resurrect something that was once impossible to believe.
According to reports, Colossal and its geneticist, Dr. Beth Shapiro, stated that any new technology holds potential risks, but she also adds that they work closely with their partners to get the best outcomes and respond to the challenges carefully. Shapiro believes that “doing nothing is also a decision with consequences”.
From Extinct to Reborn: How the Dire Wolf Resurrected?
- Extraction of the DNA: On the first step, the scientists extract and analyze the DNA from well-preserved dire wolf fossils. According to the 2021 study, the researchers discovered that dire wolves were not at all related to the modern grey wolves. They were a different species, due to which cloning became difficult to make.
- Using CRISPR to Modify the Gray Wolf Cells: As Dire Wolves are genetically different from modern gray wolves, scientists couldn’t clone. But through CRISPR gene-editing, they insert the dire wolf genes into the DNA of modern gray wolf cells.
P.S.: Their ultimate aim is to recreate a creature close to the original dire wolf by using the modern host genome as the base. - Successfully Cloned Embryos: Now, with the modified DNA, scientists used cloning techniques which is similar to the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), to create embryos. In this process, they first removed the nucleus from a gray wolf egg cell. Then they genetically insert the modified dire wolf nucleus to stimulate the cell and develop it into an embryo.
- Implanted Embryos into Surrogates: On the next step, the embryos were implanted into the surrogate mothers, which are compatible with animals like wolves or dog breeds. These surrogates were used to carry the embryos and provide a natural womb condition for better growth of the pups.
- Delivery of the Dire Wolf Pups: On the final step, the surrogates gave birth to live pups, which are genetically engineered to resemble the extinct dire wolf. Along with the physical traits, these pups also inherit the behavioral traits of the dire wolf.
The first three pups were named as Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi. They were named after the legendary founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, who were raised by a wolf. And the third pup, Khaleesi, is derived from the “Game of Thrones” character, which reflects on the connection of mythology and fiction, relating to the company’s de-extinction projects.
Here arises a question- as it is mentioned that what’s brought back isn’t a dire wolf, then why are they calling it one? Let’s talk about it in detail:
If They Are Not Dire Wolves, Why is Colossal Calling Them That?
Colossal boldly claimed that they “resurrected” the dire wolf, but research has shown that dire wolves were genetically different from modern wolves, which makes it difficult for them to interbreed. This proves that even if a new animal is engineered through existing wolf DNA, it still cannot resemble the real dire wolf.
Now, the reason behind calling them “Dire Wolf” is that they used the gray wolf genome, which is 99.5% identical to the dire wolf. Scientists have inserted the genes to match the features like body size, eyes, coat color, etc, with the dire wolves. At the end, it resulted in physical and behavioral similarities with that of a dire wolf, even if they are not in reality.
In conclusion, it totally depends on what you want to believe.
The fact is that, scientifically, they are real canis dirus, but if we view it from a practical point, we cannot deny that the resemblance is worth enough to claim that name.
Picture the Winning Moment: In Helen Hadsell Law of attraction, she emphasized on the significance of visualizing your desires and the desired outcomes. Visualization techniques do not mean daydreaming but visualizing every detail.: See yourself receiving the trophy/prize, feel every emotion that you may get while winning and live in the moment like it already happened. This Helen Hadsell contest winning tip is not only for winning the contest mindset but for every success that you desire.
Power of Subconscious Mind: Another contest winning tips includes using the power of your subconscious mind. People wondering how to use visualization to win contests can let it slide to the subconscious mind, because this is where the real magic happens. Helen Hadsell contest winning strategies refers to the fact that once you learn how to win a contests with your mind, half of the game is already won. She mentioned that Visualization techniques use this powerful part of the brain, influencing our thoughts, beliefs and actions. This again takes us back to her own philosophy that focusing on what you want and desire will automatically filter out distractions and align you with your goals.
Reprogramming your Mind: Visualization techniques for contests or for any desired outcome, will work in your favour because it reprogram your mind to expect positive outcomes. The Helen Hadsell contest winning further engages expert contest tips and tricks to reprogram your subconscious mind and align it with your desires. Helen has cracked this code during her times, when manifestation techniques and law of attraction were not the most searched term on Google. However, her unwavering belief developed her own Helen Hadsell contest method using the Helen Hadsell law of attraction and Helen Hadsell manifestation.
From the colossal’s point of view, the name holds a meaningful purpose, which includes capturing huge attention because the name “dire wolf” holds weight. The company itself stated that, just after the dire wolf and woolly mammoth announcements, they have gained more attention and popularity for conservation compared to anyone else has in decades.
Resurrect Your Powerful Version with the Silva Method!
One thing we must learn from this iconic resurrection of the dire wolf, which was gone for 10,000 years, is that you can revive yourself, too!
We all have hidden potential in ourselves, but with stress, self-doubt, and insecurities, we somehow lose our spark. But, no need to lose hope! To bring back your lost spark and enter into the powerful version of yourself, you don’t need a lab or an experiment; you just need a science-backed mind training system to awaken your powerful self that’s already within you!
The Silva Method is a neuro-technology for the mind- it is a powerful tool combined with proven meditation practices, emotional control training, and mental programming techniques, which helps you to:
- Reconnect with your intuitive power
- Take control of overwhelming emotions and stress
- Clear the mental clutter, sleep deeper, and feel in control of your emotions
- Rewire your brain for success, healing, and inner peace
So, just with the right techniques and support, you can reinvent your power and live the life you want.
Need more guidance?
Get access to the Silva Method Complete Program– an all-in-one toolkit to reprogram your mind, gain control over emotions, and empower yourself into a better and stronger version.
It’s time to #ReviveTheRealYou
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