Tech billionaire Elon Musk has a request pet woolly mammoth after US biotech company Colossal Biosciences revealed it had successfully created dire wolf pups—an extinct species.
“Please make a miniature pet wooly mammoth,” Musk wrote on X. His post included two photos- a Time Magazine cover showing a wolf-like animal with the title “Extinct” crossed out at the top, and two wolf pups sitting on the iron throne, inspired by Game of Thrones — the series that helped popularise the extinct species.
Please make a miniature pet wooly mammoth https://t.co/UxoIWmzq6h
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 7, 2025
The internet responded to his tweet with AI-generated memes of Musk walking a baby mammoth on a leash, him flying on the back of a dinosaur, and more.
The Dallas-based biotech firm Colossal Biosciences Inc announced it had created three dire wolf pups—animals that have been extinct for over 12,000 years. It had already announced in 2022 its ambitious effort to bring back the woolly mammoth.
Named Remus, Romulus, and Khaleesi, the wolf pups are living in a secret US location. They eat beef, deer, and horse meat, along with a special kibble. The male pups are currently 20–25% larger than normal grey wolves of their age and are expected to weigh up to 140 pounds as adults.
Colossal gained global attention in 2022 for its ambitious effort to bring back the woolly mammoth. So far, the closest they’ve come is creating a genetically altered mouse with mammoth traits.
The company’s research also includes work on reviving the dodo and Tasmanian tiger.
While Colossal claims the gene-editing technologies can help in conservation and health care , many scientists remain sceptical. The startup has attracted funding and high-profile backers like Paris Hilton and Tony Robbins, who have already seen returns through Colossal’s spinoff ventures.
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