Watch: Chris Hemsworth-Backed Company Aims to Bring Woolly Mammoth Back by 2028

Scientists at Colossal Biosciences are pioneering the ambitious project of bringing the woolly mammoth back to life, with a targeted resurrection date set for late 2028. This venture, which has attracted significant investment from celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Chris Hemsworth, aims to restore not only the mammoth but other extinct species like the dodo and the Tasmanian tiger, according to a report by The Independent.

Colossal Biosciences has been described by its CEO, Ben Lamm, as the world’s initial de-extinction company. They are working on reactivating key genes from animals extinct for millennia. Lamm likened the process to a “reverse Jurassic Park” in a conversation with Daily Mail.

The company has successfully raised over $235 million with high-profile investments from figures including PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel and motivational speaker Tony Robbins. Additional funding has come from unexpected sources like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

While the mammoth, which shares 99.5% of its DNA with the Asian elephant, has a lengthy 22-month gestation period, Lamm anticipates that another species might be revived sooner due to shorter gestation periods.

The focus may initially shift to quicker wins such as the Tasmanian tiger, which disappeared in the early 1980s, or the dodo, last seen in the 1600s. Lamm suggests that reviving the Tasmanian tiger could take mere weeks, whereas the dodo could take about a month.

Using gene editing techniques, the team plans to infuse mammoth traits into Asian elephant eggs, creating a cold-resistant elephant that closely resembles the woolly mammoth in appearance, behavior, and sound.

Beyond the scientific marvel, Colossal Biosciences argues that reintroducing the mammoth could have environmental benefits, such as combating global warming and preserving the Arctic’s permafrost, thus contributing positively to the climate crisis.