Scientists Are Working to Save Endangered Animals—And They’re Getting Help From ‘PAW Patrol’

What if the world’s next generation of wildlife conservationists got their introduction to the work through PAW Patrol?

A new collaboration between Colossal Biosciences — the company behind the de-extinction of dire wolves — and Paramount’s PAW Patrol, is using the popular children’s franchise to shine a light on the real-world science and conservation efforts underway to protect threatened species.

Through the campaign, which is tied to PAW Patrol: Dino Island, Colossal is bringing some of that work to families in a way young children can understand.

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The campaign begins in the fictional world of Dino Island, where dinosaurs have survived because they have a safe habitat to call home. When Mayor Humdinger begins mining the island after discovering diamonds, the pups have to step in to protect the dinosaurs and their home.

“Real animals don’t always have the PAW Patrol to rescue them,” Marshall explains in the trailer shared via Instagram on Thursday, August 20. “That’s where teams like Colossal come in. They’re on a mission to keep animals from disappearing.”

Viewers are introduced to some of the projects Colossal is working on, including EEHV vaccine development for elephants and research designed to protect amphibians from the deadly chytrid fungus.

Rather than presenting conservation as an abstract concept, the campaign draws a direct line between the fictional rescue missions kids already know and the work scientists are doing in the real world, giving parents an age-appropriate way to introduce subjects like endangered species and habitat protection to their children.

“The next generation of protectors? That’s us,” Marshall adds. “Together we can become a real-life PAW Patrol for our planet.”