The idea of bringing an extinct species back to life might sound like science fiction, but for one Hollywood star and a team of leading scientists, it’s quickly becoming a reality. Chris Hemsworth—best known for playing Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—has invested millions in a biotech startup aiming to bring back the woolly mammoth by 2028.
The project is being led by Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based company that combines cutting-edge genetic science with bold environmental goals. Their mission? To revive the woolly mammoth—not for spectacle, but to help restore fragile Arctic ecosystems and develop tools that can protect endangered species.
Giants of the Ice Age
Woolly mammoths weren’t just Ice Age icons—they were key players in maintaining grassland ecosystems across the Arctic. Their migration patterns helped cycle nutrients through the soil, and their grazing behavior kept large swaths of land clear, supporting biodiversity. As they vanished, much of this landscape shifted into mossy forests and wetlands, which trap less carbon and accelerate permafrost thawing—contributing to global warming.
Most woolly mammoths disappeared around 10,000 years ago, but small herds clung to survival on remote islands like Wrangel and St. Paul until as recently as 1650 B.C. That’s within recorded human history, a time when civilizations were already building cities and writing stories. Archaeological findings—including mammoth bones turned into tools, shelters, and artwork—suggest humans lived alongside and relied on these creatures, even as overhunting and environmental pressures pushed them toward extinction.
Thanks to the cold environments they lived in, mammoth remains have been exceptionally well-preserved in ice and permafrost. This has provided researchers with tissue samples, hair, and even intact DNA—giving scientists the raw material they need to pursue genetic restoration. With this data in hand, the idea of reviving the mammoth has shifted from theory to a serious scientific goal.
The Bold Vision of Colossal Biosciences
At the center of the mammoth revival effort is Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based biotech company launched with the goal of reversing extinction through genetic engineering. Founded by tech entrepreneur Ben Lamm and Harvard geneticist Dr. George Church, Colossal aims to do more than just bring back a long-lost species—it wants to use science to repair damaged ecosystems and improve biodiversity on a global scale.
The woolly mammoth is Colossal’s flagship project. But rather than recreating an exact copy of the extinct animal, the company is working to engineer a cold-resistant elephant that carries many of the same traits. This hybrid would be capable of surviving in Arctic conditions, performing the ecological role mammoths once played by compacting snow, grazing on shrubs, and encouraging the growth of carbon-trapping grasslands.
Colossal’s broader goal is ecological restoration. By reintroducing these animals to the tundra, they hope to slow permafrost melt, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help stabilize climate systems. It’s a bold mission, but one grounded in the idea that humans have the tools—and the responsibility—to correct some of the damage caused by past environmental disruptions.
Bringing Ancient Giants Back to Life
For more than 4,000 years, woolly mammoths have existed only in our imagination and museum displays. Soon, that may change. Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based biotech company valued at $1.7 billion, aims to bring these ancient creatures back to life by 2028. Founded with a mission to restore extinct species and support biodiversity, Colossal represents a bold venture into what many once considered impossible.
Ben Lamm, CEO and founder of Colossal Biosciences, feels “positive” about meeting his 2028 deadline for birthing mammoth calves. During an interview with MailOnline, Lamm explained his confidence: “We’ve set one timeline which is late 2028 for the first mammoth calves and we are currently on track for that.”
“I like to think of what we’re doing like reverse Jurassic Park,” Lamm told MailOnline. “We’re not taking mammoth DNA and plugging in the holes, we’re trying to engineer the lost genes from mammoths into Asian elephants.”
From fiction to reality, de-extinction science has moved from fantasy to achievable goals, with mammoth revival representing just one project in a broader mission to restore lost species and protect current ones from extinction.
How De-Extinction Works
Creating a woolly mammoth involves sophisticated genetic engineering, rather than using amber-preserved DNA, as in science fiction. Asian elephants share 95% of their genome with woolly mammoths, making them closer relatives to these extinct giants than to African elephants.
Scientists at Colossal Biosciences identify specific “target genes” that differentiate mammoths from modern elephants. Using CRISPR gene editing technology, researchers can alter elephant DNA by inserting traits from mammoths.
“You can think of DNA being like a twisted ladder with each little rung being a base pair,” Lamm explains. “We are able to change each rung of the ladder, but now we also have the ability to engineer new pieces of the ladder that we want to be there.”
After creating hybrid DNA, scientists develop pluripotent stem cells—cells that can become any type of tissue. From these foundations, researchers can generate sperm, eggs, or complete embryos containing mammoth genetic programming.
Colossal has already achieved key milestones, including sequencing a mammoth genome and developing pluripotent elephant stem cells. Current work focuses on editing elephant DNA to incorporate genes from mammoths.
Chris Hemsworth Joins the De-Extinction Game
When a Hollywood A-lister backs a scientific project, it tends to make headlines—and that’s exactly what happened when Chris Hemsworth joined the roster of investors supporting Colossal Biosciences. The Marvel actor, best known for playing Thor, isn’t just lending his name—he’s putting real money behind the company’s efforts to bring the woolly mammoth back by 2028.
Hemsworth is part of a growing list of celebrity backers that includes Paris Hilton and other high-profile names. While their involvement certainly helps secure funding, it also brings valuable attention to a field that’s often overlooked by the general public. De-extinction is a complex and expensive pursuit, and public interest plays a role in pushing the conversation forward—both in terms of awareness and long-term support.
By associating the project with widely recognized figures, Colossal is helping bridge the gap between advanced genetic science and mainstream engagement. Hemsworth’s support amplifies the company’s mission and reflects a growing cultural interest in high-impact environmental innovation.
Beyond Mammoths: Dodos and Tasmanian Tigers
While the woolly mammoth project grabs most of the headlines, it’s just one part of Colossal Biosciences’ larger mission. The company is also working on bringing back other extinct species, including the dodo and the Tasmanian tiger (also known as the thylacine). These efforts share the same underlying goal: using advanced genetics not only to restore lost species, but to develop tools that can protect those still at risk.
Both the dodo and thylacine went extinct due to direct human impact—hunting, habitat destruction, and invasive species. Reviving them isn’t just about scientific curiosity; it’s also about addressing past damage and strengthening ecosystems that lost key contributors. Unlike elephants, these animals have shorter gestation periods, which could mean faster timelines for successful revival.
Importantly, the techniques developed through de-extinction projects are already being applied to save endangered species today. Colossal is using its genetic tools to support efforts like rescuing the northern white rhino, where only two females remain. These technologies may eventually make it possible to rebuild entire populations from limited genetic material—potentially transforming how we approach conservation going forward.
Rewilding Plans and Challenges
Success for Lamm extends far beyond creating a few specimens in laboratories. “Our goal, in true success, is creating genetically diverse, interbreedable herds that can build sustainable populations in the wild,” he emphasizes.
Finding suitable habitats presents significant challenges. Colossal has started conversations with northern American states including Alaska, as well as Canada for potential mammoth territories. Final confirmations for de-extinction sites remain pending until next year.
Securing land access represents just one hurdle. Moving from laboratory success to wild reintroduction demands careful planning and environmental assessment. Modern ecosystems differ dramatically from those mammoths inhabited thousands of years ago.
Safety and Ecological Concerns to Consider
Introducing extinct species into modern environments raises legitimate concerns about ecological disruption. When asked about safety, Lamm acknowledges uncertainty while expressing optimism.
“We have to have the data, and that has to be thoughtfully collected and measured,” Lamm told MailOnline. “But ultimately some of that is still modelling and I can’t, with a clear conscience, say that any modelling by scientists affiliated with Colossal or not can give you 100 per cent accuracy.”
Despite these unknowns, Lamm remains confident based on comparable conservation projects. He points to successful bison reintroductions in Yellowstone National Park and parts of the UK, where large mammals have improved biodiversity.
“We feel confident that, in general, a more diverse ecosystem is a better ecosystem,” Lamm asserts. Many conservationists agree that returning megafauna to environments where they once lived can restore natural balances and enhance ecosystem health.
Correcting Past Mistakes
Colossal’s mission extends beyond scientific achievement. “All the data suggests that early anthropological pressures from early humans drove mammoths to extinction – we eradicated these species,” Lamm explains, though mammoth extinction causes remain debated among scientists.
For dodos and thylacines, human responsibility proves more clear-cut. Both disappeared rapidly due to hunting and habitat destruction following human contact. Restoring these species represents a form of ecological atonement.
“Species preservation is a systems problem, it’s no different to software and, kind of like software, you need to back up all the species,” Lamm says, highlighting his company’s forward-thinking approach.
Making Tools to Save More Animals
De-extinction technology developed for mammoths serves broader conservation applications. Colossal now applies similar techniques to help critically endangered species, such as the Northern White Rhino, where only two females remain.
Lamm believes his company could create self-sustaining rhino populations using limited genetic samples, potentially revolutionizing conservation for species on the brink.
“I don’t think Jurassic Park had the right conservation perspective,” Lamm concludes. “This isn’t just about preserving genetics, it’s about preserving it in a way that you can leverage to increase genetic diversity.”
With an additional £38 million ($50 million) raised to establish the Colossal Foundation, supporting conservation efforts, Lamm envisions creating a comprehensive “de-extinction toolkit” that ensures no species faces permanent disappearance.
Can 2028 Really Happen?
Many scientific projects announce bold timelines only to see deadlines slip as technical challenges emerge. For a mammoth revival, 2028 represents an ambitious target that requires continued breakthroughs in several technical areas.
Colossal has already achieved critical milestones, including sequencing mammoth genomes and developing elephant stem cells. The coming years demand solutions to remaining challenges: perfecting gene editing processes, creating viable embryos, and developing artificial womb technology or surrogate elephant mothers.
When questioned about feasibility, Lamm maintains confidence in his timeline. Most scientific experts agree mammoths will eventually return, though opinions vary on exactly when.
Counting Down to 2028
As 2028 approaches, Colossal Biosciences continues working toward goals once deemed impossible. While questions remain about how these ancient creatures will adapt to modern environments, successful de-extinction would mark an unprecedented achievement in human capability to repair ecological damage.
From woolly mammoths roaming the Arctic tundra to dodos exploring Mauritian forests, de-extinction promises to transform our relationship with wildlife conservation. By combining cutting-edge genetics with conservation principles, companies like Colossal Biosciences might help write new chapters for species whose stories seemed permanently closed.
Science continues pushing boundaries between what’s possible and impossible, with mammoth calves potentially taking their first steps just four years from now.
