The Dire Wolf, also known as the fearsome dog, is an extinct species and is perhaps one of the most famous prehistoric carnivores in North America. Its long, sharp fangs and huge body that is considerably larger than a gray wolf. This makes it a unique animal. One that you would not want to mess with! The dire wolf is believed to be extinct for over 12,000 years. However, a trucker driving on Highway 61 hit and killed a large-bodied wolf years ago. He couldn’t help but make a call to the DNR to have them check it out.
Not a Dire Wolf, But Worth Preserving
When the DNR arrived, they found the wolf to be so massive that they called in State Park personnel. Naturalists of Gooseberry Falls State Park came to take a look. The wolf was deemed to not be a Dire Wolf, but because the wolf’s size and location, they requested that it be mounted in the new interpretative center for all to see. In fact, the wolf was so big that even the taxidermist could not find a mock body to fit. He eventually found an Alaskan wolf body, one of the largest in the world to fit the body.
See It For Yourself
The Dire Wolf grew in popularity in recent years thanks to the hit TV show “Game of Thrones”, which heavily featured the massive wolf species. Today, you can find the wolf displayed at Gooseberry Falls State Park in their interpretative center. Although it’s behind glass, the beautiful creature still gives people a little scare when they realize how enormous the wolves can grow to be. Gooseberry Falls State Park is located between Two Harbors and Silver Bay on Highway 61. The interpretative center is located on the Lake Superior side of the highway. Parking and admission are free.
An Unexpected Update
Photo by Colossal Biosciences
While we have always been fascinated by the Dire Wolf, especially when you compare the size of one to today’s Gray Wolf, we never in 12,000 years expected to update this article. Yet, thanks to the wonders of science, here we are!
In April of 2025, Dallas-based biotech company Colossal Biosciences announced they had resurrected the Dire Wolf and created the first Dire Wolf pups to be born in over 12,000 years. According to an article on CNN,
Colossal scientists have created three dire wolf pups by using ancient DNA, cloning and gene-editing technology to alter the genes of a gray wolf, the prehistoric dire wolf’s closest living relative, the company announced Monday. The result is essentially a hybrid species similar in appearance to its extinct forerunner.
The pups, born in late 2024 and named Romulus and Remus, are technically not Dire Wolves. Rather, the male pups are genetically modified Gray Wolves that created a sort of cross breed between the Gray Wolf and the Dire Wolf. Even still, their births provide us further insight into the unique wolf species that once roamed much of North America, including the Great Lakes region. Perhaps, through further scientific research and breeding, we will someday have the opportunity to see a real, living Dire Wolf stand next to the enclosed “Dire Wolf” to get the true feel for the massive size of this species.
Until then, visitors to the North Shore can visit Gooseberry Falls State Park and see it for themselves.