Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/wain-wombat/
Japan and everybody else around the world celebrate Guinness World Records’ announcement about Wain’s being the oldest wombat in captivity ever!
At 32 years old, Wain is still in good health despite his age being equivalent to 100 years in humans.
“Although he was seen by a vet in the past a couple of times, he never got sick in the past few years,” the Satsukiyama Zoo told Guinness World Records in a statement. “We don’t know why this is, but this nature-filled and quiet environment this zoo has may have something to do with it.”
Wombats are marsupials like kangaroos, wallabies, and koalas. They usually live up to 15 years in the wild, and up to 20 years in captivity.
Satsukiyama Zoo is very proud of their achievement, having the world’s oldest wombat under their care since its youth. Wain was rescued from his mother’s pouch in November 1989 after figuring in a car accident. He arrived at the zoo the following year along with two older wombats.
Wain is an all-time favorite at the zoo for being friendly and charming. He would wake up when a staff shows up to give him his breakfast. He would then take a walk around and take a nap under the sun. Wain takes a walk in the morning and evening, approaching zoo personnel whenever he sees them.
In consideration of his current age, the zoo has removed the steps to Wain’s haven. They also feed him with smaller pieces of food to help his digestion. Wain loves eating grass, apples, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins.
Guinness World Records has posted the following on their website, a statement from the Satsukiyama Zoo:
“Once Wain arrived at our zoo, he was part of the first successful breeding in Japan. And now, he is a Guinness World Records holder. Although Satsukiyama Zoo is the second smallest zoo in Japan, we have become a place known worldwide. Because we are a small zoo, we can look after each animal with meticulous care. We want people to come to visit our vital animals as many times as they like – and it’s free entry!”
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
