The world’s oldest wombat is about to turn 35, which is thought to be a world record for a wombat living in captivity, and is about 20 years longer than a wombat typically lives in the wild.
Wain, also known as Mr Wine, was found as an orphaned infant in northwest Tasmania in 1989. Initially cared for at a local wildlife sanctuary, Wain was eventually sent overseas to the city of Ikeda, Japan – a city twin of Launceston.
He has lived in Ikeda at Satsukiyama Zoo ever since, and is officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest wombat.
Wain became the star of a captive breeding program at the zoo, fathering two offspring in a world-first for his species. So far, Wain has outlived his two children.
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