Wombat Hits 37: Oldest Ever Celebrates in Japan

The world's oldest known wombat, Wain, recently celebrated his 37th birthday at Satsukiyama Zoo in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture. This remarkable milestone for the Australian-born creature, who would be over a century old in human terms, was recognized last month. Wain holds the official Guinness World Record for being the oldest wombat ever kept in captivity, a title he earned in 2022.

Originally a goodwill ambassador, Wain was donated to the zoo in 1990 by Launceston, his sister city in Australia. The zoo director, Kozo Sejima, described Wain as a legend in the wombat world. To celebrate, the zoo, which is currently undergoing renovations, organized a livestream of Wain's birthday party on February 11th. This event was also screened publicly in a nearby town square, where fans cheered and left congratulatory messages.

Wombats, marsupials related to koalas, are ground-dwelling animals often called "koalas of the land." The average lifespan for wombats in captivity is typically between 20 to 25 years, making Wain's longevity exceptional. Satsukiyama Zoo houses five wombats and is one of only two facilities in Japan that cares for this unique species.