The company that made international headlines by successfully bringing back dire wolves is now turning its genetic expertise toward preventing extinctions before they happen. Colossal Biosciences, through its philanthropic arm the Colossal Foundation, has launched the world’s first fund dedicated exclusively to wildlife reintroduction and rewilding projects on a global scale.

The Species Reintroduction Fund commits at least $250,000 annually to support comprehensive conservation efforts across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems worldwide. This groundbreaking initiative, developed in partnership with conservation organization Re:wild, addresses every phase of species recovery from initial planning and genetic assessment to crucial post-release monitoring.

First-of-Its-Kind Conservation Accelerator

The fund represents a paradigm shift in conservation funding by maintaining singular focus on reintroduction programs. Unlike traditional approaches that may address isolated aspects of species recovery, this comprehensive program streamlines partnerships and resources to maximize conservation impact at scale.

“The Colossal Foundation is committed to making extinction a thing of the past. The best way to do that is to stop extinction before it starts,” said Ben Lamm, Colossal’s co-founder and CEO. “The Fund is one of the ways in which we can accelerate those efforts globally. Now we are doing even more to mobilize resources and expertise to restore wildlife populations on the brink of disappearing all over the globe.”

The collaboration with Re:wild brings together Colossal Biosciences’ cutting-edge genetic technologies—originally developed through their historic dire wolf de-extinction work—with established conservation expertise. This fusion of innovation and experience creates unprecedented opportunities for species recovery efforts worldwide.

Six Species Receive Critical Support

The fund’s inaugural cohort targets six threatened species across multiple continents, each facing severe challenges from habitat destruction, climate change, invasive species, and disease. These carefully selected recipients represent diverse ecosystems and conservation challenges:

Bolson tortoise (Critically Endangered) in New Mexico receives support through the Turner Endangered Species Fund. “Reintroduction projects on behalf of critically endangered species like the bolson tortoise, known in Mexico as Tortuga Grande, affirm that restoration is an alternative to extinction,” said Mike Phillips, Director of the Turner Endangered Species Fund. “To realize that certainty only requires that we choose to act. It is the power of choice that gives me hope.”

Black lion tamarin (Endangered) conservation efforts in Brazil are supported through Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas. Gabriela Rezende, Black Lion Tamarin Conservation Program Coordinator, explained the significance: “It has always been clear to us that managing the endangered black lion tamarin populations through translocation and reintroduction is a key strategy not only for saving the species, but also for restoring the functional diversity of its native habitat—the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.”

Golden skiffia (Extinct in the Wild) restoration in Mexico partners with Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. “Bringing Skiffia francesae back to the wild is more than conservation—it’s an act of love and responsibility,” shared Arely Ramirez Garcia, Freshwater Fish Conservationist. “This tiny, golden fish once danced through the clear waters of Mexico, and its silence today is a reminder of how easily beauty can be lost.”

The program also supports California condor recovery in Idaho through the Nez Percé Tribe, Vietnam pheasant conservation in Vietnam via the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums and Viet Nature, and Wampukrum harlequin toad efforts in Ecuador through Centro Jambatu.

Technology Meets Traditional Conservation

What distinguishes this conservation initiative is its integration of advanced genetic technologies developed through Colossal Biosciences’ de-extinction research. The company’s breakthroughs in CRISPR gene editing, genetic rescue techniques, and biobanking—originally designed to resurrect extinct dire wolves and other species—now provide powerful tools for protecting existing wildlife.

“Nature is in crisis due to human activities, and ecosystems around the world need our support to remain vibrant and resilient,” said Wes Sechrest, Re:wild’s chief scientist and CEO. “Species reintroductions are critical in many of these places to return functional roles to natural environments—helping species, habitats, and human communities to thrive.”

The fund’s approach extends beyond individual species recovery to include habitat restoration, community engagement, and long-term management planning. Projects receive support for up to 12 months at a time, with grant requests up to $50,000 per year under consideration.

Proven Conservation Applications

Colossal has already demonstrated success in applying its de-extinction technologies to conservation through projects like cloning critically endangered red wolves. This work resulted in a 25% increase in genetic diversity for the species by introducing new founding lineages to the captive population.

“Today’s dire wolf announcement represents an exciting scientific step and demonstrates the power and possibilities of genetic technologies,” said Dr. Barney Long, Senior Director of Conservation Strategy for Re:wild. “These technologies will likely transform the conservation of critically endangered species that still exist, and we are excited to apply them to prevent extinctions.”

The company’s non-invasive cell sampling methods, developed during dire wolf research, enable genetic rescue efforts without placing additional stress on already vulnerable wild populations. These techniques allow scientists to preserve genetic material and create backup populations while animals remain in their natural habitats.

Global Network for Conservation

Over the next two years, the Species Reintroduction Fund plans to collaborate with hundreds of conservationists across dozens of countries, creating an unprecedented network dedicated to reversing the extinction crisis. This ambitious timeline reflects the urgency of current biodiversity loss, as the conservation community faces what researchers describe as an accelerating extinction crisis.

“We are excited that this new fund is dedicated to efforts at every reintroduction stage, from start to release to long-term management, supporting project teams through key challenges along the long road to ensuring ecosystem health for generations to come,” added Sechrest.

The fund represents a strategic evolution for Colossal Biosciences, demonstrating how de-extinction technologies can address immediate conservation challenges while continuing longer-term species resurrection efforts. Applications for the fund’s second cohort are now open to nonprofit, government, and academic organizations worldwide with innovative reintroduction strategies.

This comprehensive approach to wildlife conservation suggests that preventing extinctions may prove as revolutionary as reversing them, potentially saving countless species before they reach the point of no return.