Scientists claim they have brought the dire wolf species back from extinction after 13,000 years, thanks to genetic engineering.
On Monday, the Texas-based biotechnology and genetic engineering company Colossal Biosciences announced that three dire wolf pups were born last fall. The species became popular in modern culture thanks to their inclusion in the popular HBO series “Game of Thrones,” which inspired the company to name the young wolves Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, which references characters in the series.
“Our team took DNA from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull and made healthy dire wolf puppies,” Colossal CEO Ben Lamm said, per the <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/04/07/us-news/dire-wolf-from-game-of-thrones-revived-in-de-extinction-project/">New York Post</a>. “It was once said, ‘any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ Today, our team gets to unveil some of the magic they are working on and its broader impact on conservation.”
The team used &#8221; somatic cell nuclear transfer&#8221; to clone high-quality cell lines, which were transferred into donor egg cells and then implanted into a surrogate, the Post reported. 
Two pups were born in October 2024, while a third was born in January 2025.
Colossal made headlines last month for engineering a “woolly mouse,” which they made by injecting mammoth DNA into mice to make them grow thick coats. Per <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14580605/colossal-biosciences-extinction-revive-dire-wolf-remus.html">The Daily Mail</a>, the company has a stated goal of bringing the woolly mammoth back from extinction by 2028. 
Paleontologist Julie Meachen told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/science/colossal-dire-wolf-deextinction.html">The New York Times</a> that dire wolves lived in North America during the Ice Age and were contemporaries of mastodons and saber tooth tigers. Their closest living relatives are gray wolves, which are about 25% smaller. Dire wolves also have more muscular jaws and shoulders. 
The company’s announcement has inspired many reactions online, ranging from excitement to skepticism. The official “Jurassic World” account posted its response to X, saying, “We see no possible way this could go wrong.”
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We see no possible way this could go wrong <a href="https://t.co/EQaOH4fJYk">https://t.co/EQaOH4fJYk</a>
&mdash; Jurassic World (@JurassicWorld) <a href="https://twitter.com/JurassicWorld/status/1909386233744330991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Many commenters said it was a stretch to call these genetically modified wolf cubs actual dire wolves.
“While these genetically engineered wolves exhibit physical and behavioral traits reminiscent of dire wolves, they are not true dire wolves,” one person <a href="https://x.com/CryptoNDN/status/1909287183309037846">wrote</a>. “The genetic modifications introduced specific dire wolf characteristics into the gray wolf genome, resulting in animals that are essentially gray wolves with selected phenotypic traits of dire wolves, rather than exact replicas of the extinct species.”
&#8220;This isn’t life finding a way, this is human interference,&#8221; another person <a href="https://x.com/thehamburglar33/status/1909575090544820231">observed</a>. &#8220;Someone forgot the lesson of just because you can do something doesn’t mean that you should. Or in other terms did they step back and ask the question &#8216;why are we doing this?'&#8221;

Howling wolf

Scientists Claim They Brought Back Extinct Dire Wolves With Birth Of 3 New Pups

Animals

Science

Technology

United States

Anyone who’s ever listened to Matt Walsh’s podcast or who has seen either of his two hit documentaries knows one thing: he’s a man who built a career on never backing down. Whether he’s being called racist by Media Matters or being attacked on X for his stance on taking sick days, Walsh is known to stick to his guns even when it’s unpopular. But like Achilles and his heel, even Walsh has a weak spot.
The king of stubbornness has officially been bested — by his wife, his kids, and two goats he explicitly did not want. In a turn of events that can only be described as both hilarious and inevitable, the Walsh household has expanded by two goats – Waffles and Oreo – after a relentless campaign instigated by the podcast host’s wife and flawlessly executed by his 5-year-old daughter. After two years of pressure and pleading, the animal lovers won the war. 
“For years, my wife has lobbied for a goat. For years, I have said no. I held the line. I was firm. But the pressure campaign went on, unrelenting. She continued with her goat propaganda. She kept developing and honing her pro-goat talking points,” Walsh said. He added, “I had an answer for every argument. But then this past weekend my wife played her final card. She took it all the way. She called in a nuclear strike. She recruited our five-year-old daughter to come plead for the goat.” 
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On my show today, with a heavy heart, I was forced to cancel my wife 
 <a href="https://t.co/voFVgrWOoQ">pic.twitter.com/voFVgrWOoQ</a>
&mdash; Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattWalshBlog/status/1904381050559586408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
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These two adorable goats now own Walsh&#8217;s backyard, his dignity, and possibly even his soul. 
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Meet our new goat, Waffles. <a href="https://twitter.com/MattWalshBlog?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MattWalshBlog</a> <a href="https://t.co/78xKNfAYEC">pic.twitter.com/78xKNfAYEC</a>
&mdash; Alissa Walsh (@AlissaWalsh21) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlissaWalsh21/status/1903593903413932510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
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I have 7 kids now, one bottle feeding. It’s always an adventure, isn’t it <a href="https://twitter.com/MattWalshBlog?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MattWalshBlog</a>? Glad he said yes. Deep down, I think he at least isn’t regretting his decision. I saw the smirk when I brought Waffles out of the car. <a href="https://t.co/9Mg5Lz5i8z">pic.twitter.com/9Mg5Lz5i8z</a>
&mdash; Alissa Walsh (@AlissaWalsh21) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlissaWalsh21/status/1903640399077363885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
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While the podcaster copes with his new reality, <a href="http://thecandleclub.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Candle Club</a> is here to immortalize the goats now screaming in his yard with some exciting new scents.
<a href="https://thecandleclub.com/products/waffles" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-899619 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-28-at-11.50.52%E2%80%AFAM-580x576.png" alt="" width="580" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-28-at-11.50.52%E2%80%AFAM-580x576.png 580w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-28-at-11.50.52%E2%80%AFAM-300x298.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-28-at-11.50.52%E2%80%AFAM-150x150.png 150w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-28-at-11.50.52%E2%80%AFAM-768x763.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-28-at-11.50.52%E2%80%AFAM.png 896w" sizes="(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px" /></a>
<a href="http://thecandleclub.com/waffles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Waffles</a>, a candle that smells like maple syrup, nutmeg, and buttermilk, is named after the elegant pet goat who, ironically, probably prefers the waffle iron cord over actual breakfast foods.
Also, dropping today: <a href="https://thecandleclub.com/products/the-other-goat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Other Goat</a>, which is inspired by Oreo, Walsh’s other hooved nemesis. This cookies &amp; cream concoction captures the essence of reluctant goat ownership and the slow realization that, despite everything, you might actually like the goats after all. Dunk memories into your atmosphere with notes of rich dark chocolate, vanilla bean, and honeycomb, reminiscent of the G.O.A.T. cookie for milk.
It’s not kind to enjoy someone else’s pain – unless it smells as delicious as these <a href="http://thecandleclub.com/waffles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American-made, natural soy wax candles</a>. So while Walsh is adapting to the hobby farm life, you can sit back, light a candle, and bask in the comforting glow of knowing that no man is truly safe from a wife on a (goat) mission.

Matt Walsh goat

Matt Walsh Caves To Animal Rights Activist

Daily Wire Shop

Matt Walsh

Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council, slammed a reporter outside the White House on Thursday who questioned whether the prices of eggs were really falling.
The exchange happened after a reporter asked if he had any updates on a program that he and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins instituted to help solve the problem that was caused by an outbreak in bird flu late last year.
&#8220;Yeah, they&#8217;re down $2.50 a dozen,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And I went to the grocery store, as I do every Saturday, because I&#8217;m the one who likes to shop at my family because I get to see all the prices. And the egg prices in D.C. were actually down quite a bit more than $2.50 a dozen.&#8221;
When asked how he knows that the Trump administration&#8217;s efforts were responsible for the decline, Hassett responded: &#8220;Because if you look at the data on the culling of chickens, it&#8217;s basically stopped, starting on January 20th, there&#8217;s a chart we can show you on that.&#8221;
&#8220;But it&#8217;s astonishing how many chickens were killed in the last two months of the Biden administration,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And by having a more prudent Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, has done more prudent policy about how to manage the disease, then we got lower egg prices and healthier chickens, because it&#8217;s &#8212; they&#8217;re not being culled in millions.&#8221;
&#8220;Remember, it was more than 100 million chickens were culled, and they spent $2 billion killing the chickens,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And if you look at what&#8217;s happened to the culling since President Trump took office, it&#8217;s gone almost to zero.&#8221;
Another reporter interrupted and tried to ask Hassett a &#8220;gotcha&#8221; question.
&#8220;But what about the wholesale prices of eggs versus what consumers are actually paying?&#8221; the reporter asked. &#8220;We&#8217;ve seen wholesale prices go down, but it&#8217;s not always reflected in the grocery stores.&#8221;
&#8220;For the latest egg prices, go to the grocery store,&#8221; Hassett responded. &#8220;Like I literally just went to the grocery and bought the same eggs I always buy, and they were way down.&#8221;
WATCH:
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WATCH: National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett shames reporters on the price of eggs: 
&quot;Go to the grocery store” <a href="https://t.co/hsf3cUSvSO">pic.twitter.com/hsf3cUSvSO</a>
&mdash; Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveGuest/status/1902862432654999578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Trump-Putin Meeting Likely to Happen,¬†Witkoff¬†Says

National Economic Council Dir Dunks On Reporter Over Egg Prices: ‘Go To The Grocery Store’

Economy

Food

Media

Politics

The leftist <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/animals">animal</a> rights organization <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/peta">PETA</a> has suggested for Groundhog Day this year, the nation should ditch Punxsutawney Phil and rely on a vegan “weather reveal cake” to predict the weather instead.
The organization, which stands for &#8220;People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,”  said it <a href="https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/life-for-punxsutawney-phil-is-no-piece-of-cake-peta-offers-weather-reveal-dessert-to-replace-exploited-groundhog/#:~:text=Punxsutawney%2C%20Pa.&amp;text=PETA%20will%20deliver%20a%20delicious,outfit%20kudos%20from%20wildlife%20fans.">sent</a> a letter to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s President Tom Dunkel and made him the “irresistible offer” of delivering what would resemble a gender reveal cake if his group was willing to “let Punxsutawney Phil and his family retire to a reputable sanctuary.”
“In a fun play on viral gender reveal videos, PETA’s tasty treat would be cut to expose one of two colors: blue, signifying six more weeks of winter, or pink, indicating an early spring,” the statement said. 
The letter to Dunkel used numerous baking puns, saying the vegan cake &#8220;would allow you to still make tourism dough while showing Phil a slice of decency.&#8221;
“You batter believe that for Phil, Groundhog Day is no piece of cake,” PETA President Ingrid Newkirk wrote. “Groundhogs are shy prey animals who, when allowed, actively avoid humans. Yet, year after year, Phil is transported to Gobler’s Knob, whisked on stage, and subjected to a noisy announcer, screaming crowds, and flashing lights against all his natural instincts.”
She continued, “If approached in his natural habitat, he would run away in fear, not volunteer to live year-round in captivity, unable to do anything that’s natural and important to him like hibernate or burrow—just to be a town’s once-a-year fake meteorologist.&#8221;
This isn’t the first time PETA tried to stop the Groundhog Day tradition by pitching an alternative. In 2024, it suggested flipping a giant coin rather than seeing if Phil saw his shadow. Two years earlier, the group had suggested using an animatronic replica of the groundhog. 
The tradition of using a groundhog to predict whether the nation would experience an early spring or have six more weeks of winter <a href="https://www.weather.gov/phi/GroundHogHistory">originated</a> with German settlers who brought the tradition of Candlemas to America in the 1700s. 
Punxsutawney Phil is the official weather-predicting groundhog who emerges each year on February 2 to make his prediction in Punxsutawney, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pennsylvania">Pennsylvania,</a> to around 20,000 fans who gather for the occasion.

“Punxsutawney Phil”

PETA Suggests Replacing Punxsutawney Phil With A Vegan ‘Weather Reveal’ Cake

PETA Suggests Replacing Punxsutawney Phil With A Vegan 'Weather Reveal' Cake

animal rights

General

Pennsylvania

PETA

U.S.

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/nebraska" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nebraska</a> Governor Jim Pillen (R) is recovering after sustaining serious but non-life-threatening injuries in a horseback riding accident.
Pillen was transported to Nebraska Medicine on Sunday afternoon after the accident, which happened while he was riding with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter, his office said in a statement.
&#8220;The Governor’s injuries included minor lacerations to his spleen and kidney, seven broken ribs, a partially collapsed lung resulting from the rib damage, and a minor fracture in one of his vertebrae,&#8221; his office said. &#8220;There were no injuries to his neck, head, nervous system or additional internal organs.&#8221;
The governor’s team of doctors recommended he undergo a coil embolization to stop bleeding in his spleen, his office said. They described the procedure as &#8220;minimally invasive.&#8221;
&#8220;The procedure was a success, and the Governor caught the second half of the Nebraska men’s basketball win over Murray State in his recovery room, while chatting and joking with his family and team,&#8221; his office said on Monday. &#8220;In summary, the Governor’s injuries were serious but not life-threatening and could have been much worse.&#8221;
During the procedure, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly briefly acted as Governor.
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Pillen&#8217;s office said that although he is in stable condition, he will remain in the hospital for several more days for observation. They said he will be able to conduct his work as governor from inside the hospital room.
&#8220;Gov. Pillen, First Lady Suzanne and their family are enormously grateful to the teams at Nebraska Medicine, Columbus Community Hospital, and the EMS professionals who transported him after the accident,&#8221; the statement concluded. &#8220;The Governor looks forward to returning to his office soon after Christmas and wishes a blessed and safe holiday to all Nebraskans.&#8221;

2024 Republican National Convention TW

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen Sustains Serious Injuries In Horseback Riding Accident

Horse

Nebraska

A wildlife conservation for big cats in Washington has lost more than half of the animals at its sanctuary after they contracted <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/bird-flu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bird flu</a>.
The Wild Felid Advocacy Center announced late last week that 20 big cats were killed around Thanksgiving shortly after they started showing signs of being sick.
Cats are particularly vulnerable to contracting bird flu and can die as quickly as 24 hours after becoming infected, the center said.
The following animals died from the outbreak: 1 Amur/Bengal Tiger, 4 Cougars, 1 African Caracal, 2 Canada Lynx, 1 Geoffroy Cat, 1 Bengal Cat, 1 Eurasian Lynx, 4 Bobcats, and 5 African Servals.
The center said that the virus is carried by wild birds and spreads through respiratory secretions, bird-to-bird contact, and carnivorous mammals that ingest birds.
The center announced that it was closed indefinitely while it quarantined the other animals and worked to clean the five acres of land that it is located on. It said that it was in contact with state and federal officials over the incident.
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&#8220;This tragedy has deeply affected our team, and we are all grieving the loss of these incredible animals,&#8221; the center said in a statement. &#8220;Now, we turn to the community for support as we focus on the care and recovery of our surviving felids. The mounting medical costs, even at discounted rates, have placed a significant financial strain on our sanctuary.&#8221;
Wild Felid Advocacy Center Director and Co-Founder Mark Mathews told KOMO News that he never thought an incident like this could impact his sanctuary because the cats are spread out and are not kept close to each other.
&#8220;Tabbi, she was my favorite tiger,&#8221; Mathews said. &#8220;Before Thanksgiving, we had 37 cats. Today, we have 17 cats, [including] four recovering.&#8221;
The center said that usually if the animals were sick, a veterinarian would visit, treat the animal, and the animal would rapidly recover.
However, with the bird flu, the animals &#8220;made it pretty obvious&#8221; that the visit from the vet did not make a difference.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/americas-first-severe-case-of-bird-flu-confirmed-california-declares-emergency">America’s First Severe Case Of Bird Flu Confirmed; California Declares Emergency</a>

SAFRICA-WILDLIFE-COSERVATION-TIGER

20 Big Cats Killed In Matter Of Days By Bird Flu At Washington Sanctuary

Bird Flu

Washington State

Officials announced this week that the Asian Giant Hornet has been completely eradicated from the U.S. five years after it was first discovered in the state of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/washington" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington</a>.
The announcement was made by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) after there have been no reports of the invasive species for three years.
The statement said:
<blockquote>The eradication success was the result of a multiyear effort to find and eradicate the hornets, which began in 2019. It involved extensive collaboration between state, federal, and international government agencies as well as significant support from community members and groups, especially in Whatcom County.
Had the hornets become established in the country, they could have posed a significant threat to honey bees and other pollinators and native insects.</blockquote>
Asian Giant Hornets have the ability to kill an entire honey bee hive in just a little over an hour and their sting poses a significantly greater risk to humans than a honey bee sting.
Officials said that there was one alleged sighting of one of the hornets in October, but they were not able to locate it. They set traps in the surrounding area that did not turn up any specimens and will continue setting traps in the area throughout 2025 as a precautionary measure.
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The hornets were first detected in British Columbia, Canada, in August 2019 and were later discovered and confirmed in Washington state a few months later.
The statement added:
<blockquote> Although the two detections were close in time and location, DNA evidence suggests there were two different introductions as specimens from each location appeared to originate from different countries.
WSDA found and eradicated a single hornet nest in October 2020 and three nests in August and September 2021. All nests were inside alder tree cavities.</blockquote>
“We are proud of this landmark victory in the fight against invasive species,” said Dr. Mark Davidson, Deputy Administrator at USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
“The success of this effort demonstrates what’s possible when agencies and communities unite toward a common goal,&#8221; he added. &#8220;USDA played a key role by providing critical funding, technology, personnel and research support, and scientific expertise that helped WSDA eradicate this pest. By tackling this threat head-on, we protected not only pollinators and crops, but also the industries, communities, and ecosystems that depend on them.”

Giant hornet

Asian Giant Hornets Officially Eradicated From U.S.

Giant Hornets

Murder Hornets

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/internet-sensation-peanut-the-squirrel-euthanized-by-new-york-state-government" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peanut the Squirrel</a> and his pal Fred the raccoon’s owners have filed their intent to sue to the State of New York after they said their beloved pets “were executed, not euthanized” when they were seized in a raid by officials to be “tested for rabies.”
In the official notice against the state, the guardians of the two animals, Mark Longo and his partner Daniela Bittner, accused the state of unlawful search and seizure, violation of freedom of speech, and other violations, <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2024/11/27/peanut-the-squirrel-owner-notice-intends-sue-new-york/">TMZ</a> reported. They are also suing for emotional distress, as well as lost wages.
The animals were seized from Longo’s home in upstate New York on October 30 by officials with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and then euthanized.
At the time of the raid, the Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/peanut-pet-squirrel-seized-euthanized-45a4cba19e1c49cb0cd58fef0f140f0d">reported</a> that the DEC took both animals from the Longos’ home. The agency reportedly said it received complaints that wildlife was potentially at risk and being kept illegally. The Longos told <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2024/11/01/peanut-the-squirrel-seized-killed-new-york-owner-rips-state/">TMZ</a> that they have had Peanut for seven years, after rescuing the squirrel when its mother was killed.
The DEC also said in a statement that Peanut bit an investigator on the hand while the squirrel was being confiscated, sparking the need to test for rabies, and “both animals were euthanized…” according to <a href="https://www.mytwintiers.com/chemung-county/peanut-the-squirrel-euthanized-by-dec-to-test-for-rabies/">WETM</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
JUST IN: Peanut the Squirrel&#8217;s owners to sue the state of New York for executing Peanut and their pet raccoon, Fred.
Mark Longo says justice is coming and he is ready to take on the state of New York.
Longo and his partner Daniela Bittner filed a notice, stating their… <a href="https://t.co/zaDzrzdjw9">pic.twitter.com/zaDzrzdjw9</a>
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1861809604507640265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2024</a></blockquote>
In the notice to the state from their attorney, Nora Constance Marino, the couple claim, “It is submitted that the notion that a DEC agent and/or other respondents’ agent was ‘bitten’ by Peanut may be false and/or manufactured,” the <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/11/27/us-news/pnut-the-squirrels-family-set-to-sue-nys-as-they-claim-agents-may-have-made-up-story-to-execute-decapitate-beloved-pet/">New York Post</a> reported.
“It is further submitted that even if an agent was in fact bitten, killing Peanut would still be unnecessary, unjustified, improper, and illegal, it is further submitted that there is no claim that Fred the raccoon bit anyone, and thus, the killing of Fred was unnecessary, unjustified, improper, and illegal,” the notice added, claiming that the animals were not wild, but legal companions, and thus there was no reason they had to be killed.
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As <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/11/12/us-news/pnut-the-squirrel-was-marked-for-death-and-decapitation-from-the-start-as-rabies-test-comes-back-negative-in-tragic-twist/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=nypost&amp;utm_source=twitter">previously reported</a>, a timeline for euthanasia of the animals doesn’t match up and the Post reported that both animals were advised to be euthanized by state officials a week before the raid.
“DEC is aware of an individual in Chemung County who is known to illegally possess an adult gray squirrel and at least 4 young raccoons. They may also be in possession of other illegal wildlife species,” the DEC said in a message to the county on October 22. “We would like to know if the Health Department would recommend these animals be tested for rabies as a precaution for human safety.”
The State Department of Health letter to the county on October 23 then read,  “Wildlife cannot be confined like domestic animals, and if there was an exposure, the animals would need to be tested for rabies,” <a href="https://www.wbng.com/video/2024/11/12/chemung-county-health-department-clarifies-role-peanut-squirrel-euthanization-2/">WBNG</a> reported.
Days later, officials took steps for their raid — but the Post noted that the DEC was already coordinating the animals’ euthanasia with Elmira Animal Control.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/peanut-the-squirrels-story-gets-shoutout-from-supreme-court-justice-neil-gorsuch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peanut The Squirrel’s Story Gets Shoutout From Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch</a>

Screenshot X: Peanut

Peanut The Squirrel’s Owners File Intent To Sue State Of New York Following Raid

Peanut The Squirrel's Owners File Intent To Sue State Of New York Following Raid

Death

New York

Internet sensation <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/peanut-the-squirrel-marked-for-death-days-before-he-was-seized-in-raid">Peanut the Squirrel’s</a> story got the attention of those in the highest court in the land after Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch gave the animal a shoutout while speaking about government overreach.
During Gorsuch’s appearance on Thursday at the Federalist Society’s annual dinner, the conservative SCOTUS justice referenced the story of the little grey squirrel who last month was seized by New York State authorities from his guardian&#8217;s home and euthanized, along with his pal Fred the Raccoon, to be “tested for rabies,”  <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4992094-gorsuch-invokes-pnut-the-squirrel-in-federalist-society-dinner-keynote/">The Hill</a> reported.
“I’ve just seen too many cases like that. You have just the other day, some of you might have seen one in the newspaper, if the newspapers are to be believed,” Gorsuch told the crowd at the Washington Hilton’s ballroom. “Yes, I’m speaking of P’nut the squirrel.”
Reports have since surfaced that call into question the death of the little animals, showing that the squirrel and raccoon were reportedly marked for euthanasia more than a week before they were seized in a raid at guardian Mark Longo&#8217;s home.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
SCOTUS Justice Neil Gorsuch shout-outs P’Nut the Squirrel in speech about government overreach <a href="https://t.co/3vOw8FSTyk">https://t.co/3vOw8FSTyk</a> <a href="https://t.co/3yHmhVQWIX">pic.twitter.com/3yHmhVQWIX</a>
— New York Post (@nypost) <a href="https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1857331648024519052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2024</a></blockquote>
Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss told the <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/11/12/us-news/pnut-the-squirrel-was-marked-for-death-and-decapitation-from-the-start-as-rabies-test-comes-back-negative-in-tragic-twist/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=nypost&amp;utm_source=twitter">New York Post</a> that the rabies test for both animals came back “negative” after they were seized on October 30 by officials with the the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and then euthanized.
DEC officials initially said they had received numerous calls about the animals living in the house. The department then got a warrant to search the home for the animals in what Longo described as a drug dealer-type raid at his home, as previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/internet-sensation-peanut-the-squirrel-euthanized-by-new-york-state-government">reported</a>.
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/?_gl=1*jtghwp*_gcl_au*ODQ1NjYzNTg2LjE3Mjg5MDk3OTE.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczMDEyMDgwOS40OS4xLjE3MzAxMjA4MzkuMzAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+</a>
At the time, the Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/peanut-pet-squirrel-seized-euthanized-45a4cba19e1c49cb0cd58fef0f140f0d">reported</a> that the DEC took both animals from the Longos’ home. The agency reportedly said it received complaints that wildlife was potentially at risk and being kept illegally. The Longos told <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2024/11/01/peanut-the-squirrel-seized-killed-new-york-owner-rips-state/">TMZ</a> that they have had Peanut for seven years, after rescuing the squirrel when its mother was killed.
The DEC also said in a statement that Peanut bit an investigator on the hand while the squirrel was being confiscated, sparking the need to test for rabies and “both animals were euthanized…” according to <a href="https://www.mytwintiers.com/chemung-county/peanut-the-squirrel-euthanized-by-dec-to-test-for-rabies/">WETM</a>. In order to test for rabies, decapitation is required so subjects’ heads can be opened and their brains sampled.
However, the Post reported that as far back as a week earlier, a timeline for euthanasia doesn’t match up and the animals were advised to be euthanized by state officials before the raid. One email from the DEC dated October 22 said it recommends “these animals be tested for rabies as a precaution for human safety.”
The State Department of Health letter to the county on October 23 then read,  “Wildlife cannot be confined like domestic animals, and if there was an exposure, the animals would need to be tested for rabies,” <a href="https://www.wbng.com/video/2024/11/12/chemung-county-health-department-clarifies-role-peanut-squirrel-euthanization-2/">WBNG</a> reported.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/peanut-the-squirrel-marked-for-death-days-before-he-was-seized-in-raid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peanut The Squirrel Marked For Death Days Before He Was Seized In Raid</a>

The Squirrel

Peanut The Squirrel’s Story Gets Shoutout From Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch

Peanut The Squirrel's Story Gets Shoutout From Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch

Neil Gorsuch

SCOTUS

Internet sensation <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/internet-sensation-peanut-the-squirrel-euthanized-by-new-york-state-government">Peanut</a> the squirrel was reportedly marked for euthanasia along with his pal Fred the Raccoon more than a week before he was seized in a raid at his home by New York officials to be “tested for rabies.”
Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss told the <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/11/12/us-news/pnut-the-squirrel-was-marked-for-death-and-decapitation-from-the-start-as-rabies-test-comes-back-negative-in-tragic-twist/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=nypost&amp;utm_source=twitter">New York Post</a> on Tuesday that the rabies test for both animals came back “negative” after they were seized from their guardian Mark Longo’s home in upstate New York on October 30 by officials with the the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and then euthanized.
DEC officials initially said they had received numerous calls about the animals living in the house. The department then got a warrant to search the home for the animals in what Longo described as a drug dealer-type raid at his home, as previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/internet-sensation-peanut-the-squirrel-euthanized-by-new-york-state-government">reported</a>.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Peanut, the pet squirrel that was seized from its owner in upstate New York and euthanized about two weeks ago, has tested negative for rabies, a county official said Tuesday. <a href="https://t.co/5cpTkzmdw4">https://t.co/5cpTkzmdw4</a>
— CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSNewYork/status/1856507272811143594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2024</a></blockquote>
At the time, the Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/peanut-pet-squirrel-seized-euthanized-45a4cba19e1c49cb0cd58fef0f140f0d">reported</a> that the DEC took both animals from the Longos’ home. The agency reportedly said it received complaints that wildlife was potentially at risk and being kept illegally. The Longos told <a href="https://www.tmz.com/2024/11/01/peanut-the-squirrel-seized-killed-new-york-owner-rips-state/">TMZ</a> that they have had Peanut for seven years, after rescuing the squirrel when its mother was killed.
The DEC also said in a statement that Peanut bit an investigator on the hand while the squirrel was being confiscated, sparking the need to test for rabies and “both animals were euthanized…” according to <a href="https://www.mytwintiers.com/chemung-county/peanut-the-squirrel-euthanized-by-dec-to-test-for-rabies/">WETM</a>. In order to test for rabies, decapitation is required so subjects’ heads can be opened and their brains sampled.
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/?_gl=1*jtghwp*_gcl_au*ODQ1NjYzNTg2LjE3Mjg5MDk3OTE.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczMDEyMDgwOS40OS4xLjE3MzAxMjA4MzkuMzAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+</a>
However, the Post reported that as far back as a week earlier, a timeline for euthanasia doesn’t match up and the animals were advised to be euthanized by state officials before the raid.
“DEC is aware of an individual in Chemung County who is known to illegally possess an adult gray squirrel and at least 4 young raccoons. They may also be in possession of other illegal wildlife species,” the DEC said in a message to the county on October 22. “We would like to know if the Health Department would recommend these animals be tested for rabies as a precaution for human safety.”
The State Department of Health letter to the county on October 23 then read,  “Wildlife cannot be confined like domestic animals, and if there was an exposure, the animals would need to be tested for rabies,” <a href="https://www.wbng.com/video/2024/11/12/chemung-county-health-department-clarifies-role-peanut-squirrel-euthanization-2/">WBNG</a> reported.
Days later, officials took steps for their raid &#8212; but the Post noted that the DEC was already coordinating the animals’ euthanasia with Elmira Animal Control.
The guardian of Peanut and Fred told the outlet he was in “utter shock” after seeing the timeline. “I’d like to give you a proper statement, but for now I’ll just say ‘Wow,'&#8221; he added.
On October 30, DEC raided Longo’s home and took the animals, which were both killed that day.
“Animal decap requested on: 10/30/24,” read a rabies report for Peanut and Fred, also released by Chemung County, who said an investigation into the matter was ongoing.

Peanut The Squirrel Marked For Death Days Before He Was Seized In Raid

Instagram

More than 40 monkeys escaped from a bio-medical research lab in Beaufort County, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/south-carolina" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Carolina</a>, on Wednesday afternoon after a caretaker accidentally failed to secure a door at an enclosure, allowing the primates to escape.
In a public service announcement on Thursday from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/yemasseepolice">Yemassee Police Department</a>, it said the police received an alert from Alpha Genesis Primate Research facility “regarding the escape of numerous Rhesus Macaque primates from their enclosures,” and police have warned citizens to lock their doors and windows.
“The number has since been confirmed to be 43,” the announcement read. “The primates are described as very young females weighing approximately 6-7lbs, the animals have never been used for testing due to their young age and size.”
“A spokesperson from Alpha Genesis can confirm that these animals are too young to carry disease,” the statement added. “The Yemassee Police Department, in collaboration with Alpha Genesis, have initiated search teams to help locate the escaped primates. Alpha Genesis currently have eyes on the primates and are working to entice them with food.”
&#8220;Residents are strongly advised to keep doors and windows secured to prevent these animals from entering homes,&#8221; police said in the statement. &#8220;If you spot any of the escaped animals, please contact 911 immediately and refrain from approaching them.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Police Searching for 40 Escaped Monkeys After Mass Breakout from South Carolina Research Facility <a href="https://t.co/7NSNXkj58z">https://t.co/7NSNXkj58z</a>
— People (@people) <a href="https://twitter.com/people/status/1854542351328260305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
Greg Westergaard, CEO of Alpha Genesis, told <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/monkeys-escape-south-carolina-research-facility-police-search/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7e&amp;linkId=645707041">CBS News</a> that the monkey escape is &#8220;frustrating&#8221; and he is &#8220;hoping for a happy ending&#8221; with the primates returning of their own volition.
“It&#8217;s really like follow-the-leader,” Westergaard added. “You see one go and the others go. It was a group of 50 and 7 stayed behind and 43 bolted out the door.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/?_gl=1*jtghwp*_gcl_au*ODQ1NjYzNTg2LjE3Mjg5MDk3OTE.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczMDEyMDgwOS40OS4xLjE3MzAxMjA4MzkuMzAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+</a>
“The public is advised to avoid the area as these animals are described at skittish and any additional noise or movement could hinder their safe capture,” the public service announcement read.
According to the Alpha Genesis facility <a href="https://www.alphagenesisinc.com/">website</a>, it said that the lab breeds monkeys and provides &#8220;nonhuman primate products and bio-research services,” with a client base across the globe.
Past clinical trials include research on progressive brain disorders, according to the <a href="https://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Article/2018/07/26/Alpha-Genesis-wins-1m-contract-to-support-progressive-brain-disorder-research?fbclid=IwY2xjawGZbP5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfsgKwb4xyuNyno1hwe7c1Cy7Sr9PUrauoF5g5BiTRUnCNSdZpRfXJknPQ_aem_LswVNliaA5c3feAPkTBvsw#.YbkfnSlxg98.facebook">Outsourcing Pharma</a> website.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/monkeys-steal-baby-boy-kill-him-by-throwing-him-off-roof" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monkeys Steal Baby Boy, Kill Him By Throwing Him Off Roof</a>

Monkeys

More Than 40 Monkeys Escape From Bio-Research Lab In South Carolina

Law Enforcement

South Carolina

Peanut the Squirrel was more than just a social media sensation. He was also the namesake of an animal rescue run by the New York couple that adopted him.
Last year, Mark and Daniele Longo <a href="https://www.pnutsfreedomfarm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opened</a> P’Nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary, “a haven where neglected and homeless animals receive a second chance at life” named after their pet squirrel, who they rescued seven years ago. The sanctuary, which they say has helped 350 animals, was made possible in a large part by donations gathered through Peanut’s viral social media accounts.
Now that Peanut has been euthanized by New York State, Mark Longo worries the sanctuary may be in trouble.
“We’ve relied heavily on PNUT and his internet family to gather donations to help more animals,” Longo <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBwhVpdymnG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=2d974739-6fb5-45c5-b805-ffd3a6adc4ce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote on Instagram</a>. “I don’t even know how [we] will continue to fundraise for this nonprofit.”
Longo says he is uncertain why the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) chose to seize and euthanize Peanut after seven years, during which time there had been no complaints about Peanut. But according to Center For Consumer Freedom Managing Director Will Coggin, the DEC’s actions are inline with the misguided approach of the animal welfare movement.
“The death of Peanut appears to track with a broader trend in the animal rights movement of killing animals,” Coggin told The Daily Wire. “Sadly, many of these people have a ‘better dead than fed’ mentality.”
Coggin pointed to one “shocking” case of Maya the Chihuahua, who PETA employees allegedly took from a Virginia family’s front porch and euthanized.
Maya’s owner, Wilbur Cerate, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20141116095105/http://wavy.com/2014/11/12/man-claims-peta-stole-killed-family-pet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told WAVY</a> at the time that security footage from his home shows two women exiting a PETA van that pulls up to his property, putting Maya in the van, and driving away. Cerate told WAVY that the women returned three days later with “a fruit basket and terrible news — Maya had been euthanized.”
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/?_gl=1*jtghwp*_gcl_au*ODQ1NjYzNTg2LjE3Mjg5MDk3OTE.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczMDEyMDgwOS40OS4xLjE3MzAxMjA4MzkuMzAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+</a>
Accomack County Sheriff Todd Godwin charged the workers with larceny, but the local commonwealth’s attorney dropped the charge.
According to Coggin, Peanut and Maya are just two of many animals who have suffered such fates.
“PETA euthanized 79% of the dogs and cats it took in last year at its ‘shelter,’ which state inspectors likened to a ‘euthanasia clinic,’” Coggin said.
Though PETA has national recognition, Center For Consumer Freedom data suggests that it’s smaller animal rescues like P’Nuts Freedom Farm that do the majority of actual rescuing.
The group <a href="https://consumerfreedom.com/2023/04/petas-25-year-anniversary-of-killing-pets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found</a> that PETA only adopted 58 animals in 2022, a 2.1% adoption rate. The nearby Norfolk Animal Care &amp; Adoption Center, it said, took in 4,337 animals that year, and had a euthanasia rate of just 10%.

Peanut The Squirrel’s Killing Points To A Larger Problem, Expert Says

squirrel

Virginia

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