The Dire Wolf Was Just the Beginning: Scientists are Reviving These 30 Extinct Species Next

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The Dire Wolf Was Just the Beginning: Scientists are Reviving These 30 Extinct Species Next

By Chu E. - April 18, 2025

Scientists at Colossal Biosciences shocked the world this April. They brought back the dire wolf using CRISPR and gray wolf DNA. This wasn’t supposed to happen yet. Most experts thought we were decades away from true de-extinction. Now, museum shelves look different to researchers. Each fossil might represent the life that could walk again. From frozen mammoths to stuffed birds, let’s look at which extinct creatures might get their second shot at life.

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The Dire Wolf Rises Again

Nobody expected to see a dire wolf in 2025. These massive predators vanished 13,000 years ago. Colossal’s team extracted DNA fragments from La Brea Tar Pit specimens and filled missing genetic gaps with gray wolf sequences. The current pack shows normal behavior and stable health markers. The first naturally conceived pups should arrive by December. Scientists monitor them closely at a special Montana facility built to match Ice Age conditions.

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CRISPR Makes the Impossible Possible

The technology that brought back dire wolves keeps getting better. Standard CRISPR gene editing used to make too many mistakes for complex resurrection projects. The newer CRISPR-Cas12f system cuts DNA with much higher precision. Scientists can rebuild extinct genomes with 99.8% accuracy now. They also developed artificial wombs that support embryos throughout development without surrogate mothers. These advances solve the biggest technical roadblocks that stopped previous de-extinction attempts.

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Woolly Mammoth

Topping our list of comeback candidates, these shaggy giants could stomp across the Arctic again by 2028. Colossal works on elephant-mammoth hybrids that might restore tundra ecosystems through grazing and snow trampling. The mammoths’ return could help maintain grasslands and even slow permafrost melt. Unlike other candidates, current attempts won’t produce “pure” mammoths. Yet, these hairy hybrids will fulfill similar ecological roles and captivate our imagination. The cold-adapted genes from preserved specimens make this Ice Age icon a front-runner for de-extinction success.

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Dodo

This plump Mauritius bird vanished in the 1600s. Now, Colossal targets its return using pigeon DNA as a foundation. The dodo stands as perhaps our most famous extinction symbol. Its name became shorthand for obsolescence and human carelessness. Scientists face substantial hurdles because Mauritius itself has transformed dramatically. These birds would likely thrive only in controlled environments rather than their former island home.

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Thylacine

The Tasmanian tiger, with its distinctive stripes and wolf-like appearance, disappeared in 1936. Colossal uses fat-tailed dunnart DNA in their resurrection efforts. This marsupial predator might restore balance to Tasmanian ecosystems if reintroduced. The last thylacine died at Hobart Zoo. Film footage of this lonely creature pacing its cage haunts us still. Scientists struggle with complex marsupial genetics in this ambitious project.

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Passenger Pigeon

These birds once filled North American skies in flocks of billions. Revive & Restore aims to bring them back using band-tailed pigeon DNA. Their return could revitalize forest regeneration through widespread seed dispersal. Hunting drove them to extinction despite their overwhelming numbers. The modern world raises questions about whether current ecosystems could support the massive flocks that defined this species.

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Great Auk

This penguin-like bird disappeared from North Atlantic shores in 1844. With recoverable DNA and puffins as relatives, resurrection seems plausible. They stood three feet tall with tuxedo-like plumage. Sailors killed them for meat, eggs, and feathers. Their return could restore balance to marine ecosystems, but fishing pressures remain intense. We must address these threats before any reintroduction attempt.

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Carolina Parakeet

North America’s only native parrot flashed brilliant green, yellow, and orange plumage through eastern forests until 1918. Museum specimens provide DNA for potential revival. These birds ate cockleburs and other seeds toxic to mammals. Their extinction left a colorful gap in forest biodiversity. Habitat loss continues to shrink potential release sites. They would face competition from invasive monk parakeets now established in many states.

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Heath Hen

This prairie chicken subspecies disappeared from Martha’s Vineyard in 1932. Revive & Restore studies their genetic material for potential resurrection. They performed elaborate mating dances each spring. Conservation efforts began too late to save them. Their potential return could help revive grassland ecosystems throughout the eastern United States. Scientists worry about limited genetic diversity in available samples.

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Moas

New Zealand lost these massive flightless birds after Māori arrival. Some stood 12 feet tall. Their closest living relatives, emus, might provide DNA for resurrection attempts. Moas shaped forest ecosystems through browsing. Their eggs were enormous. Their return would require vast, predator-free habitats that barely exist today. They hold profound cultural significance for Indigenous Māori people.

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Quagga

This zebra subspecies from South Africa showed unique striping patterns. The front half displayed bold zebra stripes while the rear resembled a plain brown horse. Hunting eliminated them by 1883. A selective breeding program already recreates their appearance using plains zebras. Full genetic revival would require more complete DNA. Their return could contribute to South African grassland restoration efforts.

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Aurochs

The massive wild ancestors of modern cattle once roamed European forests and plains. Rewilding Europe targets their resurrection through back-breeding programs. The last aurochs died in Poland in 1627. Their remains show they stood taller than modern cattle with longer horns. Their ecological impact through grazing shaped European landscapes for millennia. Hybrids with similar traits already exist.

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Saber-Toothed Cat

These Ice Age predators sported 11-inch curved canines. Lion DNA might help resurrect them. They used their impressive teeth to take down giant prey after ambushing them. Such predators maintained healthy prey populations through selective hunting. No suitable modern habitat exists for these hunters. Their return would likely be limited to controlled settings. DNA degradation presents major challenges.

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Glyptodon

This armadillo relative grew to Volkswagen size during the Ice Age. Covered in bony armor, it lumbered across South American grasslands until humans arrived. Their closest relatives, modern armadillos, might provide DNA baseline for resurrection. The mismatch between their slow reproduction and modern threats raises concerns. They would require extensive protected areas to thrive if brought back.

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Megatherium

These giant ground sloths stood 20 feet tall when reaching for tree branches. They defecated enormous quantities of plant seeds, spreading forest growth. Modern sloths and armadillos share their lineage. Their massive size would complicate captive care. They vanished shortly after humans entered their South American range. Climate change and hunting likely contributed to their extinction approximately 12,000 years ago.

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Steller’s Sea Cow

These gentle marine giants were discovered in 1741 and hunted to extinction by 1768. Related to manatees, they grew up to 30 feet long. Sailors prized their blubber for oil and meat for food. They maintained kelp forest health through grazing. Their slow reproduction couldn’t keep pace with hunting pressure. Modern conservation efforts would need to address similar threats before any reintroduction attempt.

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Tarpan

The wild ancestor of domestic horses disappeared from European forests in 1909. Several back-breeding programs attempt to recreate these hardy, mouse-gray horses. They survived in remote areas long after most large mammals vanished from Europe. Their genetic legacy lives on in domestic horses. Their return could help rewild European ecosystems through natural grazing patterns. Habitat fragmentation remains a challenge.

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Pyrenean Ibex

This mountain goat became briefly “de-extinct” in 2003 when scientists cloned one that died minutes after birth. They vanished from Spanish mountains in 2000. Their close relatives still inhabit similar ranges. Their resurrection represents a proof-of-concept for de-extinction technology. Habitat loss and hunting drove their original extinction. Cloning inefficiencies and developmental issues remain significant obstacles.

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Gastric-Brooding Frog

This Australian amphibian swallowed its fertilized eggs and birthed fully-formed froglets through its mouth. Revive & Restore studies this unique creature for medical insights. They disappeared in the 1980s before scientists fully understood their remarkable reproductive biology. Their return could advance medical research on stomach acid suppression. Chytrid fungus, which drove their extinction, still threatens amphibians worldwide.

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Huia

New Zealand lost this striking bird in the early 1900s. Males and females evolved different beak shapes for cooperative feeding. The female’s long curved bill extracted grubs while the male’s shorter, stronger bill chipped away bark. Māori prized their tail feathers for ceremonial headdresses. Their extinction represents the loss of one of nature’s most extreme examples of sexual dimorphism. Invasive predators remain a threat.

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Irish Elk

These deer boasted the largest antlers ever evolved, spanning up to 12 feet. They disappeared about 7,000 years ago as forests replaced grasslands. Modern red deer share their lineage and might provide DNA for resurrection attempts. Their massive antlers suggest they evolved through sexual selection. Habitat fragmentation would limit potential release sites. Their impressive remains draw museum visitors worldwide.

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Mastodon

These elephant relatives had shorter legs and longer bodies than mammoths. They browsed in North American forests rather than grazing open plains. Their tusks curved slightly upward rather than spiraling like mammoth tusks. Recovery efforts might overlap with mammoth projects since both shared elephant ancestry. Their return could help restore wetland ecosystems through browsing and physical disturbance. DNA recovery seems feasible.

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Cave Lion

These massive Ice Age predators stalked European and Asian tundra until about 12,000 years ago. Cave paintings preserve their appearance. Modern lions might provide DNA templates for resurrection attempts. They were approximately 25% larger than modern African lions. No intact DNA samples have been found yet. Their predatory role kept herbivore populations healthy. Climate change and hunting contributed to their disappearance.

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Short-Faced Bear

North America’s largest-ever predator stood over 11 feet tall when rearing up. Their long legs allowed faster pursuit than modern bears. They vanished about 11,000 years ago alongside many Ice Age megafauna. Modern bears might provide genetic templates for resurrection. Their massive size required vast territories for hunting. Climate change and competition with humans likely contributed to their extinction.

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Baiji Dolphin

China’s Yangtze River dolphin was declared functionally extinct in 2006. Some reports suggest occasional sightings. They evolved exceptional sonar systems to navigate muddy waters. Specimens exist for DNA extraction. They lived alongside human civilization for thousands of years before industrial pollution, damming, and fishing drove them to extinction. River conditions would need dramatic improvement before any reintroduction attempt.

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Japanese Sea Lion

These pinnipeds disappeared from Western Pacific shores by the 1970s. They resembled California sea lions but with darker coloration. Hunting for oil, hides, and traditional medicine eliminated them. Their DNA might be recoverable from museum specimens. Modern sea lions could provide templates for resurrection. Overfishing of their prey base remains a significant threat. The coastal areas they once inhabited have transformed dramatically.

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Labrador Duck

This maritime duck vanished from North American shores in the 1870s. Their specialized bill suggested they fed on mollusks. Limited genetic material exists in museum specimens. Scientists debate whether hunting or natural factors caused their extinction. They migrated between New England and Canadian maritime provinces. Their ecological role remains poorly understood. The Atlantic coastline has transformed dramatically since their disappearance.

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Imperial Woodpecker

Mexico’s forests once echoed with calls from these crow-sized woodpeckers. They sported dramatic red crests and stood nearly two feet tall. Logging destroyed their mountain pine forest habitat. Their extinction happened recently enough that quality DNA might remain in museum specimens. Forest restoration would need to precede any reintroduction attempts. Their dramatic appearance would likely generate public support for conservation efforts.

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Eskimo Curlew

These shorebirds once undertook spectacular migrations between Arctic breeding grounds and South American wintering areas. Market hunting devastated their numbers in the late 1800s. Their tendency to circle back when flocks were shot made them vulnerable. The last confirmed sighting occurred in 1963. Their long migrations would face modern threats from habitat loss. Their decline paralleled the passenger pigeon’s tragic story.

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Bachman’s Warbler

This small yellow songbird disappeared from southeastern swamp forests by the 1980s. They migrated between the southern US and Cuba each year. Habitat destruction affected both their breeding and wintering grounds. Museum specimens might yield usable DNA. Their ecological role in controlling insects could benefit forest health. Their recent extinction improves resurrection chances compared to ancient species.

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Lord Howe Island Stick Insect

These “tree lobsters” grew to the size of a human hand. They were thought extinct after rats reached their island home in 1918. A tiny population was discovered on a nearby sea stack in 2001. Captive breeding programs restored their numbers. Their near-extinction and recovery represents a conservation success story and potential blueprint for other invertebrate resurrections. They demonstrate that not all extinction is permanent.

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Cuban Macaw

This vibrant parrot flashed red, yellow, and blue through Cuban forests until the late 1800s. Museum specimens preserve their striking appearance. Habitat destruction and hunting eliminated them before scientists could study their behavior in detail. Their ecological role likely included seed dispersal for native trees. Modern Cuban forests have changed significantly. Invasive species would compete with any reintroduced populations.

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What’s Next For De-Extinction?

The dire wolf’s return marks the beginning rather than the end of resurrection biology. Each candidate species presents unique challenges and opportunities. Questions of ethics loom large. Should we divert resources from endangered species to resurrect the extinct? The technology advances faster than our ethical frameworks. Most de-extinct species would initially live in controlled environments rather than wild habitats. For now, we watch with wonder as science fiction becomes scientific possibility.

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