Researchers Develop “Woolly Mouse” in Effort to Bring Back the Woolly Mammoth

# Colossal Biosciences’ “Woolly Mouse”: A Milestone in the Quest to Restore the Woolly Mammoth

For years, the concept of resurrecting extinct species has fascinated both scientists and the general public. The Dallas-based biotechnology firm **Colossal Biosciences** is leading the charge to revive the **woolly mammoth**, a massive creature from the Ice Age that vanished over 4,000 years ago. Although the woolly mammoth itself has not been brought back to life yet, Colossal has made significant progress by developing the **first genetically altered “woolly mouse.”** This small innovator, adorned with thick, golden, woolly fur reminiscent of a mammoth, signifies a vital advancement toward Colossal’s bold de-extinction ambitions.

## How the Woolly Mouse Was Developed

The team at Colossal, guided by **Chief Science Officer Beth Shapiro**, utilized ancient mammoth **DNA sourced from preserved skin, bone, and hair** to pinpoint genetic characteristics associated with cold resistance, fat accumulation, and hair structure. They then employed **gene-editing techniques** to incorporate these mammoth-like attributes into the DNA of lab mice. Following the implantation of the genetically modified embryos into female laboratory mice, the first **woolly pups were born in October 2024.**

Shapiro noted that these mice displayed **longer, woolly, golden coats**, alongside **improved fat storage**—crucial features necessary for enduring extreme low temperatures. The successful imitation of mammoth-like traits in mice has instilled confidence in scientists that their techniques could also be applicable to larger species, such as **Asian elephants**, the closest living relatives of the woolly mammoth.

> *“For us, it’s an incredibly big deal. This is really validation that what we have in mind for our longer-term de-extinction project is really going to work,”* stated Beth Shapiro in an interview with **NPR**.

## The Rationale Behind Reviving the Woolly Mammoth

Colossal Biosciences imagines **rewilding** the woolly mammoth in Arctic ecosystems, where it could contribute to efforts against **climate change.** The organization claims that reintroducing mammoth-like elephants to the tundra could:

– **Mitigate permafrost thawing:** Historically, mammoths played a role in compressing snow, keeping the ground cooler, thus **preventing methane emissions**, a significant factor in global warming.
– **Replenish grasslands:** By toppling trees and compacting soil, these creatures could foster the revival of **Ice Age grasslands**, which sequester more carbon than forests.
– **Enhance biodiversity:** Reintroduced megafauna could **reshape and balance** ecosystems altered by human impact and climate shifts.

Colossal’s ambitions extend beyond the woolly mammoth; the firm also aims to **restore other extinct species** such as the **dodo bird** and **thylacine (Tasmanian tiger).**

## Ethical and Scientific Debates

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding this achievement, some scientists retain a skeptical view. **Elsa Panciroli, a paleontologist at National Museums Scotland,** questions the viability of de-extinction as a solution to pressing environmental challenges.

> *“We’re looking at a warming world. Lack of habitat, human conflict, agriculture, climate change—the idea that they can fix that with gene editing is missing the big picture,”* Panciroli expressed to **Scientific American**.

Critics point out that **habitat destruction, poaching, and human influence** pose more immediate threats to elephant populations than efforts to reverse extinction. They warn that reintroducing mammoths and other species will necessitate ecosystems that can **sustain them**, which may not be achievable today.

Moreover, ethical dilemmas continue to loom over issues such as **genetic manipulation, animal welfare, and the usage of surrogate Asian elephants** to bear mammoth-like embryos.

## Looking Forward for Colossal

With the successful creation of the woolly mouse, Colossal is now focused on editing the **embryos of Asian elephants** to infuse mammoth traits. The company intends to **implant these embryos into female elephants** with the aspiration of generating hybrid **mammoth-like elephant calves by 2028.**

The research team has released a comprehensive scientific study regarding their **woolly mouse project**, available on **bioRxiv** [here](https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.03.641227v1).

Whether these initiatives will ultimately lead to the resurrection of the woolly mammoth or transform conservation science is still unknown. Nevertheless, Colossal’s efforts signify a groundbreaking intersection of **genetics, conservation, and biotechnology**, challenging the limits of what can be achieved in **de-extinction research.**

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### **Further Exploration:**
– **[Company Creates Meatball From the Cells of an Extinct Woolly Mammoth](https://m