Hello, Namaste, Sat Sri Akaal, Salaam, and a big warm hug to all my science-loving friends across the globe! ๐ค๐
It’s your host and fellow knowledge-seeker, Jonty Jayant Richards, back with something so cool, it might just make your jaw drop. ๐ฑ
Today’s topic?
WOLVES. EXTINCT. COMING BACK. ๐บ๐๐งฌ
This isn’t a movie plot — it’s happening right now, and the people behind it? A real-life biotech company based in Texas! ๐บ๐ธ๐ฌ
So buckle up, fam — we’re going on a howling adventure! ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ️
๐ฌ๐ก What is De-extinction?
Let’s get you warmed up with this sci-word:
De-extinction = bringing back extinct species using modern biotechnology.
Sounds like science fiction? Not anymore!
Thanks to CRISPR gene editing ๐งฌ, cloning, and preserved DNA, scientists are now literally reversing extinction. Like Ctrl+Z, but for nature. ⏪๐ฑ
๐งช Meet the Heroes: Colossal Biosciences ๐
Let’s give a standing ovation to Colossal Biosciences, a trailblazing biotech company based in Dallas, Texas, USA ๐บ๐ธ๐งฌ
Their mission?
๐ “To de-extinct iconic species to restore the natural world” ๐
They call themselves a “de-extinction company,” and yes, that’s officially a thing now! ๐ฎ๐ฅ
Founded by entrepreneur Ben Lamm and world-renowned geneticist George Church (Harvard Medical School), this company isn’t just dreaming — they’re DOING.
They're already working on:
๐บ๐ฐ️ The 3 Wolves Being Brought Back to Life!
1️⃣ The Tasmanian Wolf (Thylacine) ๐ฆ๐บ
๐น A marsupial that looked like a dog, hunted like a wolf, and carried babies in a pouch like a kangaroo! ๐ฆ
๐น Native to Tasmania and mainland Australia.
๐น Last seen in 1936. ๐ข
๐ฌ Colossal is working with the University of Melbourne to recreate the Thylacine using DNA from preserved specimens + a close relative, the numbat. ๐งช
๐ก Fun Fact: The Thylacine could open its jaws almost 180 degrees — that’s more than a crocodile! ๐ฑ๐ฆท
๐ฏ Goal: Reintroduce the species into the wild within the next 10 years. ๐๐ฟ
2️⃣ The Dire Wolf (Yes, the one from Game of Thrones!) ๐บ❄️
But make no mistake — Dire wolves were REAL, and they were terrifyingly awesome! ๐ฎ๐ฅ
๐น Lived during the Ice Age, over 10,000 years ago
๐น Bigger, bulkier, and more bone-crushing than modern wolves ๐ช๐ฆด
๐น Went extinct as ecosystems changed
๐งฌ Colossal’s scientists are analyzing ancient DNA from fossilized bones found in La Brea Tar Pits (California).
But here’s the twist — Dire wolves were NOT true wolves! ๐ฒ They were a different genus altogether!
๐ก Fun Fact: Dire wolves had stronger jaws than a lion. They could snap femur bones like crackers! ๐ฆด๐ฌ
๐ง That makes the de-extinction challenge harder, but hey — that’s what biotech geniuses are for! ๐ง ๐ง
3️⃣ The Honshลซ Wolf (Japan’s Ghost Wolf) ๐ฏ๐ต๐ธ
๐น Smallest known wolf species — about the size of a Shiba Inu ๐
๐น Revered in Japanese folklore as a sacred mountain spirit
๐น Extinct by 1905 due to hunting and rabies ๐
๐งฌ Japanese scientists are now collaborating with global genetics labs to sequence DNA from preserved Honshลซ wolf specimens.
By combining this with the genome of Asian grey wolves, they hope to bring back this beautiful, mythical animal. ๐๐ฒ
๐ก Fun Fact: Farmers once left rice and fish at shrines to honor the Honshลซ wolf — it was believed to protect their crops! ๐๐๐บ
๐ญ Why Bring Extinct Animals Back?
Great question, bestie! ๐ค๐ฌ Let’s break it down:
๐ฟ 1. To restore lost ecosystems:
Wolves play a critical role in maintaining balance. They control prey populations and support biodiversity.
๐ฌ 2. To advance science:
CRISPR, cloning, synthetic biology — these projects help us improve genetic medicine and conservation.
๐ 3. To fix our mistakes:
Many of these animals went extinct because of us — hunting, deforestation, and pollution.
Now, science is offering a way to make amends. ❤️๐ฉน
๐ But Wait… Is It Safe?
Not everyone is howling with joy. Some scientists and conservationists say:
⚠️ “Shouldn’t we focus on saving endangered species instead?”
⚠️ “What if these revived animals can’t adapt to today’s environment?”
⚠️ “Could they become invasive or dangerous?”
These are valid concerns. That’s why every revival project includes long-term ecological studies, habitat planning, and ethical reviews.
๐ฌ As Uncle Ben once said: "With great power comes great responsibility." ๐ฅ๐ธ️
๐ฎ What’s Next?
You’re living in a world where extinct wolves might walk the Earth again in YOUR lifetime.
Isn’t that wild? ๐๐
We’re talking real-life Jurassic Park vibes — minus the dinosaurs (for now ๐).
From the labs of Texas to the forests of Tasmania and the shrines of Japan — the world is watching as lost wolves prepare for a comeback.
๐ฃ️ What Do YOU Think?
๐ข Should we revive extinct species?
๐บ Would you want to see a Thylacine or Honshลซ wolf in the wild someday?
๐ง Or should we leave the past in the past?
Let me know in the comments below! ๐ฌ๐
Let’s howl it out together in the name of science! ๐บ๐
Until next time…
Stay curious. Stay kind. And stay wild, just like the wolves! ๐งฌ๐ฟ๐ซ
– Jonty Jayant Richards
#WolvesAreBack #DeExtinction #ColossalBiosciences #JayantsJournal #BiologyMagic #WolvesOfThePast #FutureIsNow #FunWithScience #CRISPRRevolution
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