Elon Musk wants a miniature pet wooly mammoth after Extinct Dire Wolves return

Elon Musk has made headlines again, but this time, it was with a remark regarding a significant scientific breakthrough. Following the word of the genetic revival of dire wolves, Elon Musk had something to say on social media. Elon Musk labeled it "cool" and jokingly requested scientists to create a miniature pet woolly mammoth for him.

The dire wolves, which became extinct over 10,000 years ago, were recently resurrected in a new guise. Colossal Biosciences, a biotech firm based in Texas, revealed that they had produced three wolf pups through gene editing. Although the pups are not identical to dire wolves, they resemble them in certain aspects.

Elon Musk's tweet soon went viral. It was viewed by millions and created a meme wave and AI-generated images of Musk holding a small woolly mammoth. This fueled public interest in de-extinction science and created controversies regarding whether it is a good idea to bring back extinct species.

What are these "Resurrected" Dire Wolves?

Colossal Biosciences employed gene editing techniques of the cutting edge to breed three wolf puppies named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi. These puppies were created using the DNA of present-day wolves and historical dire wolf information. They have robust bodies and white coats, which make them appear much like the extinct population. However, they are not exact duplicates.

The dire wolf resided in North America and became extinct roughly 10,000 years ago. It was bigger and stronger than the current-day gray wolf. Although most associate dire wolves with TV series such as Game of Thrones, the actual animal was an apex predator of its era.

The new wolf pups are kept in a secure area with round-the-clock monitoring. Scientists are studying their health, behavior, and interaction with each other. The goal is to learn how such animals could one day help fix damaged ecosystems.

Why does Elon Musk want a Mini Woolly Mammoth?

Elon Musk's tweet followed shortly after the bad news about the dire wolves. He posted, "Please make a miniature pet woolly mammoth." While he was probably being sarcastic, many fans took the suggestion seriously. Some even made digital pictures of Musk with his fantasy pet.

The woolly mammoth is another species Colossal Biosciences is endeavoring to revive. The company previously stated that it intends to produce mammoth-like animals by editing the genes of current elephants. These animals would be utilized to assist in combating climate change in cold areas such as the Arctic.

Elon Musk's tweet also highlighted Colossal Biosciences and its other objectives. In addition to the woolly mammoth and dire wolf, the organization is also attempting to bring back the dodo and Tasmanian tiger. These initiatives are ongoing and will take years to be accomplished.

Is it safe or right to bring back extinct species?

De-extinction science is still relatively new. Some believe it can benefit the environment by reintroducing missing animals into the food chain. Others believe that it might be dangerous. If these animals become ill or harm other species, they may harm ecosystems more than they assist them.

The second issue is that the animals developed are not pure replicas of dead species. As scientists have to work with DNA from living animals, the outcome is more like a hybrid. Therefore, they might behave differently or require specific attention.

Nevertheless, many find the prospect thrilling. It raises questions concerning science, the natural world, and what comes next. Elon Musk's remarks, even though made in a joking manner, have brought those questions into the limelight.

Elon Musk's tongue-in-cheek suggestion of a pet woolly mammoth followed the news of a significant scientific breakthrough in the gene editing of dire wolf-like puppies. The animals are not completely dire wolves, but their development is an advance for de-extinction science. Elon Musk's tweet has gotten others to wonder about what is next. Discussion about reviving extinct species is increasing. As science progresses, the globe will be waiting to learn what else can come back from the past.

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