The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 711: So Are Dire Wolves Back From The Dead Or Not?
Jun 2, 2025
Matt James from Colossal Biosciences joins the conversation, diving into the fascinating world of dire wolves. He discusses the project's groundbreaking efforts to explore cloning and genetic resurrection, unraveling the mysteries of these ancient creatures. The hosts engage in humorous anecdotes about wildlife encounters and the striking genetic similarities between dire wolves and modern canines. They also tackle ethical questions surrounding conservation and biotechnology, while reflecting on the cultural impact of dire wolves in popular media, including 'Game of Thrones.'
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Steve's Crow and Robin Story
- Steve Rinella shares a personal story about a crow regurgitating robin eggs, including a featherless robin chick rescued by his daughter.
- The cracked injured egg was buried in their garden, highlighting nature's harsh realities and family interactions with wildlife.
Dire Wolves vs Gray Wolves Genetics
- Dire wolves and gray wolves share about 99.5% genetic similarity, yet the 0.5% difference covers key physical traits.
- Small genetic differences can cause significant species-level morphology and phenotype distinctions.
Challenges of Ancient DNA Reconstruction
- Ancient DNA sequencing provides fragmented puzzle pieces that require AI and close relatives to reconstruct genomes.
- Complete cloning is impossible due to DNA degradation, so de-extinction creates close approximations, not identical individuals.
