Dire Wolves Are Back. Trump’s Trade War Is Too

The Loonie Letter - Issue 001

April 09, 2025

In one hand, fighting tariffs until the end, and the other, bringing back wolfs from the dead. AI aka Skynet vs breakthroughs in science fighting osteoporosis like wolverine.

The first issue of The Loonie Letter is meant to bring you up to speed quickly about the stories of the week.

Lets roll up a toonie and read on…

Nickel and dimes

Fast summaries of key headlines: deals, policies, business news, and industry shakeups.

  • Blue Jays can rejoice Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. has agreed to re-sign with the Jays on a 14-year, US$500-million deal.

  • Not even police are safe from spyware. If you notice your phone overheating it could be a sign of being spied upon using spyware called On-Device Investigative Tool (ODIT)

  • China vows to fight tariffs until the end. “If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

  • Vote in Air Canada’s Top Vacation Destinations poll is now open. The categories include; Beach Vacation, Food and Travel, City Break, Hidden Gem and more.

  • Shopify CEO wants you to prove AI can’t do the work before hiring human talent.

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The Dire Wolf is back. Jurassic Park vibes…

Colossal Biosciences’ dire wolves, Romulus and Remus at age three months. Colossal scientists sequenced DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000 year old skull, and made edits to the genome of a gray wolf to mimic traits in dire wolves. Dire wolves went extinct near the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 13,000 years ago.

Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences announced Monday a breakthrough achievement in "de-extinction" of three dire wolves, a species extinct for approximately 13,000 years. The company showed two male pups named Remus and Romulus born in October, followed by a female named Khaleesi.

The $10 billion biotechnology startup achieved this by sequencing DNA from ancient dire wolf remains, a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull. Scientists then edited modern grey wolf genomes to incorporate dire wolf characteristics including heavier bodies, wider heads, larger jaws, and lighter fur.

The wolves currently reside in a secure 2,000-acre "ecological preserve" protected by 10-foot zoo-grade fencing and a secondary perimeter, with ten full-time staff members providing care. However, the exact location remains undisclosed.

Gabriela Mastromonaco, chief science officer at the Toronto Zoo, called for immediate attention from Canadian authorities, noting that both dire wolves and woolly mammoths (Colossal's unrealized flagship project) historically inhabited Canadian environments. "The Canadian government absolutely needs to be paying attention now," Mastromonaco warned.

Dan Ashe, president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, acknowledged the impressive scientific feat while expressing concern: "It shows the power and extraordinary pace at which these technologies are developing. They're obviously moving very quickly."

The conservation community is divided on the value of de-extinction technology. Some see exciting possibilities for saving endangered species, while others view it as a dangerous distraction from protecting existing biodiversity.

Mastromonaco raised additional biosecurity concerns, warning that escaped dire wolf proxies could "absolutely interbreed" with existing wolves. "We have no understanding of the impact on nature," she emphasized.

Colossal, founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Lamm and geneticist George Church, defends their approach by arguing that current conservation strategies are failing with up to 150 species disappearing daily. Company executives believe reviving charismatic animals like mammoths and dire wolves will restore ecological balance, help sequester carbon in former habitats, and generate unprecedented conservation funding.

The announcement surprised many following Colossal's progress, as the company had previously disclosed only three de-extinction targets: woolly mammoths, dodos, and thylacines (Tasmanian tigers). However, investors have committed $435 million to Colossal, valuing the company at $10.2 billion.

Successful "de-extinction" requires advancements in multiple technologies, including genome editing, stem cell reprogramming, and reproductive science. The Toronto Zoo has expressed interest in developing a Canadian strategy around de-extinction, particularly given Canada's vast tundra regions—the woolly mammoth's former habitat.

Despite their differences, both Colossal and its critics agree on one thing: these technologies are advancing much faster than most people realize!

Fact of the week for a nickel

What a better way to share a stat this is truly Canadian 🇨🇦

Maple syrup production in Canada from 2008 to 2024

Approximately 19.9 million gallons of maple syrup were produced in Canada in 2024, up from about 10.4 million gallons the previous year.

The penny list

That’s it for this weeks issue. Since this is issue number one, let me know your thoughts about the content. What would you like to see? to read about? subjects to focus on? All this will help shape this newsletter for you.

Thanks again for reading.

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