From Tasmania to Japan: Meet Mr Wine, the world’s oldest wombat

Jamie Roberts By Jamie Roberts Jun11,2024
Wain, the world’s oldest wombat, has lived 20 years longer than his wild counterparts.
The marsupial, also known as Mr Wine, had a rough start to life.
Rescuers saved him from his mother’s pouch when she was killed by a car at Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain in 1989.

Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary owner Androo Kelly cared for the orphan for nearly a year, before finding him his forever home in Satsukiyama Zoo.

Kelly said Wain, soon to be 35, definitely showed signs of slowing down, having visited him in Japan last year.
“He was doddering, walking around slowly,” he told SBS News.
“But he was still active and has quite a regular routine. He just does his own thing.”

Wain, along with two other wombats, were a gift from Launceston city to its sister city Ikeda.

The wombat has outlived both of those wombats, as well as two of their offspring.
Kelly calls Wain an “exceptional animal” but admits he’s not being fed a secret grain.
“He gets a good healthy diet. Lots of grasses and different grains and roughage and a bit of vegetable,” he said.
Instead, he attributes his longevity, which has won Wain a Guiness World Record for the oldest wombat, to the team’s “amazing care”.
He expects Wain’s care to improve further when a new facility is built following additional Japanese federal funding.

Kelly might also send Wain a new wombat friend, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Launceston and Ikeda’s sister relationship in 2025.

Jamie Roberts

By Jamie Roberts

Jamie is an award-winning investigative journalist with a focus on uncovering corruption and advocating for social justice. With over a decade of experience in the field, Jamie's work has been instrumental in bringing about positive change in various communities.

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3 thoughts on “From Tasmania to Japan: Meet Mr Wine, the world’s oldest wombat”
  1. I think it’s heartwarming to see the dedication of Wain’s caretakers. He truly is a remarkable wombat defying the odds. It’s amazing how well he’s been looked after all these years, and I hope he continues to thrive in his new facility with a new friend by his side!

  2. Is it common for wombats in captivity to live longer than their wild counterparts?

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