Elephant in the Room Dire Wolves: Still Extinct?
Date
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | 6:30–9 pm
Location
Tickets
Paid parking will be available in the NHM Car Park on Bill Robertson Lane.
Elephant in the Room: Small Talk, Big Issues
Elephant in the Room is a new after-hours discussion series that unpacks the big, thought-provoking (and sometimes controversial) topics from the museum world—and beyond.
What to Expect:
- Exclusive after-hours access to the museum
- Insightful talks led by leading voices and experts in science, culture, and conservation
- Candid conversations that challenge perspectives and spark curiosity
- Cocktail hour to unwind, connect, and chat with the speakers
Join us for an evening of science, storytelling, and real talk–after dark!
May 13 | Dire Wolves: Still Extinct?
By now, we’ve all likely heard the claim that dire wolves have been cloned and brought back from extinction, but despite sensational headlines stirring up prehistoric hype, the scientific truth is that dire wolves remain extinct. What is the fascination with this ancient predator, and how do such claims impact the work being done by today’s scientists?
Join us for Dire Wolves: Still Extinct?, a panel discussion part of NHM’s new thought-provoking discussion series Elephant in the Room, which dives into bold–and sometimes controversial–topics from the museum world and beyond. This event will explore the mystery and known facts of dire wolves, clearing up misconceptions fueled by recent advances in biotechnology, de-extinction, and our understanding of the past.
The evening will feature a conversation in the new NHM Commons Theater with Dr. Emily Lindsey, Associate Curator and Excavation Site Director at Rancho La Brea; Dr. Mairin Balisi, Augustyn Family Curator at the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology; and Jazlyn Mooney, Gabilan Assistant Professor of Quantitative and Computational Biology at USC, followed by a cocktail reception.
Meet the Moderator: Charles Annenberg Weingarten, Vice President and Director of the Annenberg Foundation
Charles Annenberg Weingarten is founder of Explore.org and Vice President and Director of the Annenberg Foundation. He has broad philanthropic interests from education to human rights and has a particular passion for environmental causes and animal welfare.
Explore.org is the world’s leading live nature cam network with more than 200 cameras on five continents across the globe. A filmmaker himself, Charles has directed and produced more than 300 short films.
In addition, he is the founder of Dog Bless You, a leading provider of service dogs, and which celebrates the special bond between people and their dogs. Charlie has a master’s degree from USC’s School of Cinema-Television and a BA from Duke University. He serves on the Board of Councilors for the USC School of Communications and Journalism.
Instagram: @exploreorg
X: @exploreorg
FB: https://www.facebook.com/exploreorg/
YouTube: @ExploreLiveNatureCams
Program Schedule
6:30 pm: Doors Open
7-8 pm: Discussion begins
8-9 pm: Cocktail hour starts
9:00 pm: Program Ends
Meet the Speakers:
Emily Lindsey, PhD, Associate Curator and Excavation Site Director, Rancho La Brea
Mairin Balisi, PhD, Augustyn Family Curator at the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology
Jazlyn Mooney, PhD, Gabilan Assistant Professor of Quantitative and Computational Biology