The world's oldest wombat in an undated photo from February 2022 (syrupmermaid/Twitter)
After being inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records, the world’s oldest wombat is still adjusting to life in the spotlight. This humble wombat wasn’t used to their newfound superstardom, and as of press time didn’t even have their own Instagram account!
The average wombat’s lifespan ranges from a mere 5 to 15 years, but at 34 years old this celebrity wombat is still turning heads.
“The attention has been stressful, but it’s a good kind of stress,” reported a zoo insider who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Marsupials aren’t accustomed to being famous – they generally keep to themselves. So all of this press and attention – it’s been a big adjustment.”
“Wain” (the wombat’s mononymous title) lives in a luxe animal enclosure in Osaka, Japan. “All of the hottest zoos are in Japan now. Animals don’t even THINK about trying to transfer to the zoo that Wain lives in – they have a waitlist to GET ON the waitlist.” quipped one insider.
Most animals at the zoo aren’t international celebrities, so it’s been hard for this wombat to make friends. “Frankly – she feels isolated,” said one source. “Everyone wants to be able to brag that they’re friends with the world’s oldest wombat, and it makes relationships difficult to navigate…”
Stalked by the paparazzi, praying for a moment of peace (Mihoko Takizawa/Asahi Shimbun)
To learn more, I flew to the Satsukiyama Zoo in Osaka to experience the wombat-mania firsthand.
These days, the wombat exhibit is absolutely MOBBED with zoo visitors. Everyone wants to snap a selfie with Wain, to prove that they met the world’s oldest wombat. A zoo aficionado explained, “Frankly, the other animal exhibits are mostly empty. It’s all about wombats this season. Nobody wants to see the elephants or the otters, nobody wants to see the monkeys, and no one would be CAUGHT DEAD visiting the flamingos.”
When asked about how she feels about life in her mid-thirties, Wain didn’t answer. She just continued plodding around the wombat exhibit as if I wasn’t there. Ducking into a hollow log – disappearing from sight – I got the feeling that the world’s oldest wombat felt uncomfortable about being interviewed, maybe even a little shy. When she reappeared from the other end of the log, I asked if she had any current love interests; Harry Styles perhaps? She didn’t respond, but I caught the hint of a knowing smirk which told me everything I needed to know.
“How do you stay so thin, are you on Ozempic?” I asked. At this point a zoo employee ushered me out, explaining gruffly that the interview was over. I was handed a laminated information card explaining that wombats are herbivorous, which allows them to stay in shape without fad diets or expensive gym memberships.
I mean, how was I supposed to know that?
She’s embraced her age and chosen to grow old in the limelight, but Wain is showing no signs of slowing down. She paces around the animal enclosure with honesty, authenticity, and a dash of grace. Whatever happens next, one thing is clear; this wombat is just getting started.
