The US Endangered Species Act has been instrumental in recovering iconic species like the bald eagle, but over 2,300 plant and animal populations still require ongoing federal protection. In a surprising move, the government has announced a collaboration with Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company known for its controversial ambition to "de-extinct" species such as the woolly mammoth and dire wolf. Under the plan, every species on the endangered list will have its genome fully sequenced and tissue samples cryopreserved, providing a genetic resource bank for conservationists. Colossal, which has raised questions about its scientific rigor—particularly after its dire wolf project made only minimal genetic edits to grey wolves—asserts that its core mission is conservation. The company intends to develop gene-editing and reproductive technologies that it can license for profit, while the government contributes regulatory oversight and access to listed species. This partnership marks an unusual alignment between an administration that has often sought to weaken the Endangered Species Act and a private firm with a high-risk, high-reward approach to biotechnology. Proponents argue the genomic data could help manage genetic diversity, identify vulnerabilities, and even support assisted reproduction for critically endangered animals. Critics, however, worry about the potential for exploitation and whether the effort will divert resources from proven habitat protection strategies. The initiative is expected to begin immediately, with a focus on the most imperiled species first.