The Tusk Hunters

by Dan Caffrey

Two men in the Alaskan tundra search for woolly mammoth tusks as an alternative to elephant ivory. But their most recent discovery causes their employer to pivot from the ivory trade to a more technologically innovative venture as a means of combating climate change. Inspired by the real-life founding of Colossal Biosciences, The Tusk Hunters explores the morality of de-extinction and the toll that...

Two men in the Alaskan tundra search for woolly mammoth tusks as an alternative to elephant ivory. But their most recent discovery causes their employer to pivot from the ivory trade to a more technologically innovative venture as a means of combating climate change. Inspired by the real-life founding of Colossal Biosciences, The Tusk Hunters explores the morality of de-extinction and the toll that scientifically revolutionary ideas take on those who execute them.

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The Tusk Hunters

Recommended by

  • Charles Scott Jones: The Tusk Hunters by Dan Caffrey
    “

    Witnessed at the Workshop 2025 reading THE TUSK HUNTERS, by Dan Caffrey, an inspired idea taking you deep into the past, far into the future. The character arcs of Pup and Grimwald, their interactions with an exotic environment, the subtle weaving of activity and dialogue draw you into this fine work and keep you there. Love how Pup's sentimentality, his piano-playing reverie inspired by the mammoth tusks is his undoing, and contrasts with Grimwald's deeper pragmatism. Fantastic play! [6-13-25]

    Witnessed at the Workshop 2025 reading THE TUSK HUNTERS, by Dan Caffrey, an inspired idea taking you deep into the past, far into the future. The character arcs of Pup and Grimwald, their interactions with an exotic environment, the subtle weaving of activity and dialogue draw you into this fine work and keep you there. Love how Pup's sentimentality, his piano-playing reverie inspired by the mammoth tusks is his undoing, and contrasts with Grimwald's deeper pragmatism. Fantastic play! [6-13-25]

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: The Tusk Hunters by Dan Caffrey
    “

    This is an excitingly original exploration of climate change, scientific ethics, the ways humans seek to control/twist nature to their will even with the best of intentions to preserve it. I was also amazed by how distinct and natural the characters sounded. Additionally, I enjoyed seeing Pup's compelling journey from a young, eager, idealistic tusk hunter seemingly in it for a fascination with the animals to more of a "pragmatist" willing to use nature as a commodity.

    This is an excitingly original exploration of climate change, scientific ethics, the ways humans seek to control/twist nature to their will even with the best of intentions to preserve it. I was also amazed by how distinct and natural the characters sounded. Additionally, I enjoyed seeing Pup's compelling journey from a young, eager, idealistic tusk hunter seemingly in it for a fascination with the animals to more of a "pragmatist" willing to use nature as a commodity.

    ”
  • Kitchen Dog Theater: The Tusk Hunters by Dan Caffrey
    “

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2023 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2023 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    ”

Development History

  • Reading, The Workshop Theater, 2025
  • Workshop, The Civilians R&D Group, 2024

Awards