No, dire wolves are not back—but real wolves need your help
A collection of headlines from early April 2025 about dire wolves from https://www.webworm.co/p/direwolf
No, Dire Wolves Are Not Back—But We Should Talk About What Is Being Unleashed
There’s been a flurry of headlines this week claiming that dire wolves—the iconic, prehistoric predators that roamed North America more than 10,000 years ago—have been brought back from extinction. It’s the kind of story that sounds like science fiction: genetically modified wolves engineered to resemble dire wolves in both appearance and behavior. Cue the Jurassic Park theme.
But let’s pump the brakes.
Time Magazine’s cover about dire wolves.
Despite the breathless media framing, the truth is far less sensational. According to experts, these animals are not actual dire wolves, nor are they even genetically identical to them. Rather, they’re modern gray wolves that have been selectively bred or gene-edited to look more like their extinct cousins. Think of it as cosplay for canids.
Still, the story taps into powerful mythologies—of wildness, power, and control—that have long shaped public perceptions of wolves in North America. Dire wolves have always held a special place in the cultural imagination. They inspired songs (Grateful Dead fans, we see you), haunted HBO screens in Game of Thrones, and symbolized a kind of ancient, untamed wilderness. But romanticizing these animals while ignoring the realities of modern wolf conservation can be dangerous.
Because here’s the thing: real wolves are already under siege in the U.S.
From “wolf whacking” in Wyoming to anti-predator ballot initiatives, wild wolves are being scapegoated, persecuted, and politically targeted. And just like the rhetoric about oversized “Canadian” wolves used to justify retribution in the American West, this new narrative risks fueling more fear, misunderstanding, and ultimately, harm.
Instead of fantasizing about bringing back extinct species, we should focus on protecting the wolves we still have—and the ecosystems that depend on them. Wolves play a critical role in restoring ecological balance and maintaining biodiversity. But for wolves to fulfill that role, we need more than minimum population numbers to avoid relisting under the Endangered Species Act. We need ecologically effective population sizes, meaningful habitat protections, and respect for individual animals—not just as numbers on a spreadsheet, but as sentient beings with intrinsic value. True rewilding requires coexistence, not commodification.
And that brings us to what’s happening right now—because the threats to wolves are real and urgent:
1. Help Stop the Attack on Mexican Gray Wolves in New Mexico
The Catron County Commission is pushing a dangerous resolution to declare a “state of emergency” over the presence of endangered Mexican gray wolves—based on fear, misinformation, and exaggerated claims.
We’re calling on New Mexico residents to speak up! Sign the petition urging Governor Lujan Grisham to oppose this harmful resolution and stand up for science-based wildlife policy.
Take action: If you’re connected to New Mexico—either personally or through your networks—please share this link widely. Together, we can protect the Mexican gray wolf and fight back against anti-wildlife policies.
2. Tell Your Senators: Vote NO on Brian Nesvik
The U.S. Senate is considering Brian Nesvik, former director of Wyoming Game & Fish, for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director. This is the same man who stood by while a wolf was tortured and run over in his state—and did nothing.
His record is clear: Nesvik prioritizes industry interests over wildlife conservation. From weakening predator protections to ignoring science in favor of ranching and trophy hunting, his leadership would be a disaster for endangered species, public lands, and the integrity of the USFWS.
Take action today: Call your senators and tell them to VOTE NO on Nesvik! Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Wildlife deserves a leader who will protect, not exploit.
3. Congress Is Coming for the Endangered Species Act—And Wolves Are in the Crosshairs
Once again, lawmakers are pushing dangerous bills to gut the Endangered Species Act and remove protections for wolves.
Several proposals in Congress aim to delist wolves nationwide, ignoring science, public support, and the essential ecological role wolves play. Even worse, some bills would weaken the ESA itself, making it harder to protect all imperiled species in the future.
These attacks are not about conservation—they’re about appeasing special interests at the expense of biodiversity and environmental justice.
Take action today: Call your representatives and demand they protect the ESA and keep wolves protected! Your voice matters.
Dire wolves may be extinct, but today’s wolves are still here—real, wild, and worth fighting for. Let’s stop the distracting fantasies and start advocating for the living beings and wild places that need us now.
