The resurrection of an extinct predator raises important questions about responsible care and ethical treatment. While the technological achievements behind Colossal Biosciences’ dire wolf revival have garnered significant attention, equally important are the comprehensive animal welfare standards the company has established for these unique animals. From specialized facilities to expert veterinary support, Colossal has implemented extensive protocols to ensure the health and wellbeing of the world’s first de-extinct canids.
American Humane Society Certification
A cornerstone of Colossal’s animal welfare approach is external validation through certification by the American Humane Society. This prestigious designation provides independent verification that the company meets rigorous standards for animal care.
“Colossal has achieved American Humane Certification, the prestigious designation ensuring excellence in animal welfare and care,” states Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., CEO of American Humane Society. “Optimal welfare is evidenced by spacious habitats with ample space and opportunity for animals to socialize, exercise, and exhibit natural behaviors. Staff are passionate, highly engaged and devoted to the animals in their care.”
This certification helps address potential concerns about the treatment of de-extinct animals, establishing that they receive care consistent with the highest standards for living species. Ganzert adds that Colossal represents “a shining example of excellence in humane care and welfare.”
Extensive Protected Habitat
The dire wolf pups reside in a secure, expansive ecological preserve specifically designed to accommodate their needs. According to Colossal’s announcements, the wolves live on a “2,000+ acre secure expansive ecological preserve that is certified by the American Humane Society and registered with USDA.”
This substantial habitat allows the animals to develop natural behaviors while remaining in a protected environment. The entire preserve features sophisticated security measures, including “10-foot-tall, zoo-grade fencing with redundant perimeter security” to ensure both the animals’ safety and appropriate containment.
Within this larger preserve, Colossal has created “a smaller, six-acre secure site where the dire wolves can be further tended to and studied.” This area includes specialized facilities such as “an on-site veterinary clinic, a wolf management facility, an outdoor storm shelter, and natural built dens for the wolves,” providing comprehensive support for their health and wellbeing.
Dedicated Animal Care Team
Colossal employs a substantial professional staff focused on animal welfare. According to their announcements, the company “employs ten full-time animal care staff to support the wolves’ physical and mental well-being.” This team brings specialized expertise in canid husbandry and behavior to ensure appropriate care.
The wolves receive continuous monitoring through multiple systems, including “on-site live cameras, security personnel, and drone tracking to ensure their safety and welfare.” This comprehensive surveillance allows the care team to observe the animals’ development while minimizing human interference that might disrupt natural behaviors.
Colossal has also implemented transparency in their animal care practices through a publicly accessible “dire wolf development tracker” that documents the animals’ growth and health milestones. This approach provides accountability and allows external observers to follow the wolves’ progress.
Natural Behavior Development
Early observations of the dire wolf pups indicate they are developing distinctly wild behaviors, despite being born in managed care. Colossal reports that unlike domestic puppies, Romulus and Remus (the male pups) “keep their distance from humans, flinching or retreating even from familiar caretakers, demonstrating true wild lupine instincts.”
This behavioral development suggests the animals are expressing natural tendencies rather than becoming domesticated, an important consideration for an apex predator species. The company’s husbandry approach appears designed to facilitate these wild behaviors while providing necessary care.
At approximately six months old, the pups already exhibit classic dire wolf traits—thick white fur, broad heads, and hefty builds—and weigh around 80 pounds. These physical characteristics align with what researchers believe ancient dire wolves would have looked like, indicating successful phenotypic development.
Long-term Care Commitment
Colossal has articulated a clear commitment to lifetime care for the wolves. Their documentation states that “the conservation property will provide lifetime care, feeding, and protection for the wolves.” This long-term responsibility ensures the animals’ welfare throughout their lives.
While the company has indicated that the wolves “will be monitored and observed to assess their readiness to move into larger protected and managed care facilities,” there are no immediate plans for environmental release. Any potential future movements would occur only after comprehensive assessment of the animals’ health, behavior, and suitability for new environments.
Integrating Research and Welfare
The care facilities balance research needs with animal welfare considerations. The on-site veterinary clinic supports both routine health maintenance and scientific monitoring, allowing researchers to gather important data about the de-extinct animals’ development while prioritizing their wellbeing.
Through this integrated approach, Colossal aims to demonstrate that pioneering genetic research can proceed alongside rigorous welfare standards. The care infrastructure emphasizes both physical health through veterinary support and behavioral health through appropriate habitat design and social groupings.
Setting Standards for Future De-Extinction Work
As the first successful de-extinction of a mammalian predator, Colossal’s animal welfare protocols establish precedents for future revival efforts. Their approach demonstrates that bringing back extinct species requires comprehensive planning not only for the genetic engineering aspects but also for the ethical care of the resulting animals.
The extensive habitat, professional staffing, external certification, and lifetime care commitment reflect recognition that successful de-extinction encompasses both the technological achievement of creating the animals and the ethical responsibility of ensuring their welfare. As Colossal moves forward with plans for additional de-extinction projects, these welfare standards provide a foundation for responsible innovation in the emerging field of resurrection biology.