Scientists genetically engineer wolves like the extinct dire wolf

Three genetically engineered wolves that may resemble extinct dire wolves are trotting, sleeping and howling in an undisclosed secure location in the U.S., according to the company that aims to bring back lost species.

- By CHRISTINA LARSON AP Science Writer

The wolf pups, which range in age from three to six months old, have long white hair, muscular jaws and already weigh in at around 80 pounds — on track to reach 140 pounds at maturity, researchers at Colossal Biosciences reported Monday.

Dire wolves, which went extinct more than 10,000 years old, are much larger than gray wolves, their closest living relatives today.

Independent scientists said this latest effort doesn't mean dire wolves are coming back to North American grasslands any time soon.

"All you can do now is make something look superficially like something else" not fully revive extinct species, said Vincent Lynch, a biologist at the University at Buffalo who was not involved in the research.