Caring for the world’s first de-extinct predators requires an unprecedented veterinary program. Colossal Biosciences’ three dire wolves – Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi – reside on a secure 2,000-acre site with specialized facilities certified by the American Humane Society and registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The specialized care began before birth, with all three dire wolves delivered via scheduled cesarean section to minimize delivery risks. This careful approach reflects the unique challenges of working with genetically engineered embryos and surrogate mothers from different species.
As the wolves develop, Colossal’s veterinary team monitors their health and growth closely. The animals already display the characteristic traits of dire wolves: long white hair, muscular jaws, and substantial size. At just 3-6 months old, they already weigh approximately 80 pounds and are expected to reach 140 pounds at maturity.
According to Matt James, Colossal’s chief animal officer, the veterinary program balances scientific observation with animal welfare. The wolves are “habituated to people” but maintained as wild animals, not pets. They follow natural behavioral patterns while exploring their habitat and return to a central area for twice-daily feeding under veterinary supervision.
The facility’s comprehensive monitoring systems – including security personnel, drones, and live camera feeds – allow veterinarians to observe the animals’ health and behavior continuously while minimizing direct human contact.
The specialized veterinary knowledge developed for the dire wolves extends to other conservation efforts. Colossal has applied similar care techniques to their cloned red wolves and is certified by the American Humane Society, which Lamm describes as “the oldest humane organization in the world for animals.”
Pioneering Veterinary Protocols
Providing medical care for a previously extinct species presents unique challenges that have required Colossal to develop entirely new veterinary protocols. The company assembled a specialized veterinary team combining expertise from zoological medicine, wildlife biology, and genetic engineering to address the unprecedented health requirements of the de-extinct dire wolves.
The medical care begins with comprehensive preventative medicine. The wolves receive carefully formulated nutrition plans based on both paleontological evidence of historical dire wolf diets and modern understanding of canid nutritional needs. Their food consists primarily of high-quality protein sources supplemented with specific nutrients that support their unique physiological traits, including their substantial musculature and dense coat.
Regular health assessments are conducted using minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. The veterinary team has developed specialized protocols for remote monitoring that allow them to collect vital health data without unnecessary handling. This includes thermal imaging to detect inflammation or injury, gait analysis to identify potential musculoskeletal issues, and fecal sampling for digestive and parasitological assessment.
When direct examinations are necessary, the facility includes a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic specifically designed for large predator care. The examination areas feature specialized restraint equipment that minimizes stress while ensuring safety for both animals and veterinary staff. Advanced diagnostic equipment including digital radiography, ultrasound, and laboratory capabilities allow for comprehensive on-site health assessments.
One particularly innovative aspect of the veterinary program is the genetic monitoring protocol. Since the dire wolves represent a novel genetic creation, the veterinary team regularly conducts genetic analysis to ensure the stability of the engineered genome and to monitor for any unexpected genetic effects that might emerge as the animals mature. This monitoring extends to epigenetic factors that might influence gene expression in response to environmental conditions.
The veterinary program also includes a comprehensive behavioral health component. Recognizing that physical health is inseparable from psychological wellbeing, the facility provides environmental enrichment designed to stimulate natural behaviors while monitoring for any signs of stress or abnormal behavior. This holistic approach ensures that the wolves remain both physically healthy and behaviorally sound as they continue to develop and mature in their carefully designed habitat.
