The scientific community is buzzing, and frankly, so is everyone else! In a stunning breakthrough this month, researchers announced the successful de-extinction of the Dire Wolf. Yes, the legendary predator of the Pleistocene, often romanticised in fiction, now walks the Earth once more (in carefully controlled environments, we hope!).
This incredible feat has ignited a firestorm of discussion. What does this mean for conservation? What are the ethical boundaries? And perhaps the most thrilling question: if the Dire Wolf can return, who (or what) is next?
Placing Bets on Prehistory
With possibilities sparking imaginations worldwide, the question turns to ‘who’s next?’ Taking a fun, speculative look and fishing for new customers, traders at Casinos.com have analysed scientific efforts and public fascination to calculate the odds…
Here’s a look at their fascinating (and slightly terrifying) predictions:
| Rank | Extinct Creature | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woolly Mammoth | 2/1 | 33.3% |
| 2 | Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine) | 4/1 | 20% |
| 3 | Dodo | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| 4 | Saber-Toothed Tiger | 8/1 | 11.1% |
| 5 | Passenger Pigeon | 10/1 | 9.1% |
| 6 | Quagga (half-zebra, half-horse) | 15/1 | 6.3% |
| 7 | Great Auk | 20/1 | 4.8% |
| 8 | Moa | 25/1 | 3.8% |
| 9 | Glyptodon (prehistoric armadillo) | 30/1 | 3.2% |
| 10 | Megalodon | 100/1 | 1% |
1. The Woolly Mammoth: The Front Runner (2/1 Odds, 33.3% Probability)
No surprise here! The Woolly Mammoth is the odds-on favourite. Scientists have been working with Mammoth DNA for years, exploring ways to integrate it with modern-day elephant genomes. With frozen specimens yielding remarkably preserved genetic material, the dream of seeing these furry giants roam tundra-like reserves might be closer than we think. The science is advancing rapidly, making the Mammoth a prime candidate for resurrection.
2. The Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine): A Ghost of the Recent Past (4/1 Odds, 20% Probability)
Hot on the Mammoth’s heels is the enigmatic Tasmanian Tiger. Declared extinct in the 1930s, the Thylacine occupies a unique space – recent enough for relatively good genetic samples and museum specimens, yet mysterious sufficient to capture widespread interest. Teams are confident they can reconstruct a creature with genetic code incredibly close to the original. This scientific confidence significantly boosts its chances.
3. The Dodo: Poster Child for Extinction (5/1 Odds, 16.7% Probability)
Could the famously flightless Dodo make a comeback? As the symbol of human-caused extinction, there’s certainly a strong desire to right that historical wrong. While obtaining viable DNA has been challenging compared to mammoths or thylacines, the sheer iconic status of the Dodo keeps it firmly in the running. The intrigue is high, but the biological hurdles mean the odds sit at a respectable, but not certain, 16.7%.
4. The Saber-Toothed Tiger (Smilodon): A Fearsome Prospect (8/1 Odds, 11.1% Probability)
Now things get really interesting. With its terrifyingly long canines, the Sabre-Toothed Tiger is a creature many are glad remains in the past. Yet, the allure of bringing back such a powerful predator is undeniable. While technically feasible given potential DNA recovery from fossils and tar pits, the ethical questions and sheer danger involved make it less likely than the herbivores or, more recently, extinct animals. Still, an 11.1% chance isn’t zero… enough to make you shiver?
5. The Megalodon: Nightmare Fuel from the Deep (99/1 Odds, 1% Probability)
And finally, the ultimate prehistoric nightmare: the Megalodon. Could the colossal shark that once ruled the oceans return? The odds are incredibly slim at just 1%. Finding viable DNA from a creature that lived millions of years ago in the ocean is a monumental task. But hey, the Casinos.com analysis cheekily asks: are the odds low because it’s impossible, or because maybe, just maybe, it never truly left…? (Probably the former, let’s be honest).
The Future is Wild
The return of the Dire Wolf has opened Pandora’s Box, blurring the lines between science fiction and reality. While the Casinos.com odds provide a fun framework, the real work happens in labs worldwide. Whether it’s the Mammoth, the Thylacine, or something completely unexpected, the era of de-extinction is dawning. The question is rapidly shifting from if we can bring back extinct species to the complex web of which and how, and the profound ethical question: Should we?
In Pure Spirit
What do you make of scientists finding a way to de-extinct animals?
Image credit: “Dire Wolf pack vs. Sabertooth cat” by RAPHTOR.
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