For fans of the Emmy winning show Game of Thrones (GOT), Dire Wolves need no introduction. The extinct canine species were generated through CGI on GOT, and have been a fan-favourite 'House of Stark' character from the very first episode.  

On April 7, 2025, a Dallas, Texas based Biotech firm called Colossal Biosciences announced via their official X handle that they have brought to life this extinct species of Dire Wolves. Sharing a video of the world's first de-extinct animals, Colossal Biosciences wrote, "You’re hearing the first howl of a dire wolf in over 10,000 years. Meet Romulus and Remus".

Meet the first dire wolves to exist in over 10,000 years https://t.co/PiXmBEGrk6 pic.twitter.com/NJl20cxp80

— TIME (@TIME) April 7, 2025

Game of Thrones fans naturally assembled at the news, and have been posting GOT references ever since the news broke out. Interestingly, George RR Martin who authored the novels A Song of Ice and Fire, which were adapted into the Game of Thrones (2011–2019) series, and its prequel series House of the Dragon (2022–present), serves as a cultural advisor and investor in the Colossal Biosciences company. 

So when Romulus and Remus had a third sibling in the form of a sister, the US-based company named her 'Khaleesi' after the famous GOT character played by actress Emilia Clarke.  

The two newly born baby Dire Wolves, brought back from extinction by genetic engineering, seated on the Iron Throne. 🐺

George R.R. Martin serves as a Colossal Biosciences cultural advisor and investor, with Peter Jackson loaning his Iron Throne prop for the photoshoot. pic.twitter.com/Yax9WjCp7a

— westerosies (@westerosies) April 7, 2025

We got real direwolves before we got The Winds of Winter.

— GREGarious (@GregInACab) April 8, 2025

khaleesi and her dire wolf khaleesi 🫶 pic.twitter.com/Umff5y9vtv

— ruljiii⁷ (@jjmileo) April 7, 2025

Welcome back, Ghost! https://t.co/XcNIN7y6xj pic.twitter.com/9XrbeuM8Bt

— Jon Snow (@LordSnow) April 7, 2025

Meet Romulus and Remus - The world's first dire wolves in 12,500 years. pic.twitter.com/4lHdHy6IPd

— Ben Lamm (@BenLamm) April 7, 2025

context pic.twitter.com/F4JErriErM

— dany starlight✨ (@danyzstarlight) April 7, 2025

the third direwolf is a girl named khaleesi… oh my god we are so back https://t.co/nT08BcVE7I pic.twitter.com/4YTz7zXQck

— cyn (@atimefordragons) April 7, 2025

The irony that we get Dire Wolves before Winds of Winter is not lost on every one of the Game of Thrones fandom. #GameOfThrones #Direwolves #windsofwinter #wft pic.twitter.com/ygJxv0AQDG

— Kitrini ❤️⛓️🍎😈🐍🪽🥀 (@Kitrini) April 7, 2025

Winter is coming https://t.co/MJQ2MfzeQy

— Wallflower (@omuh_ene) April 8, 2025