Social media is abuzz with viral videos, memes, and images of fluffy white wolf puppies.
TheGame of Thronesreferences are predictably omnipresent.
The news even made it to Time magazineslatest cover.
But behind the hype lies a dangerous de-extinction delusion that could distract from proven solutions to the biodiversity crisis.
The Trump administration is alreadyusing Colossals claimsas an excuse to slash endangered species protections.
First, lets set something straight Colossal didnt bring back the dire wolf.
Its an impressive feat of tech-wizardry, but these fluffy white cubs are, at best, mutations.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
Thats factually incorrect, as many scientists have already pointed out.
But Colossal shows no signs of slowing down.
Colossal has broadcast the message that extinction is reversible but it is not.
While the public fawns over adorable mutated dire wolves on Instagram, biodiversity loss is snowballing.
One million (known) species arethreatenedwith extinction, with extinction rates now occurring up to1,000 timesthe rate pre-humans.
We need to mobilise resources to protect the species that we still have left, like the Iberian wolf.
Once widespread, the canid is now confined to mountainous regions of Portugal and Spain.
Only around 2,200 individuals remain.
Humanitys top priority should be to safeguard existing biodiversity and restore whats been damaged.
Instead of playing God with long-extinct creatures, we must fight for the endangered species we still have left.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
