OSAKA  –  The world’s oldest wombat, living at a zoo in western Japan, turned 37 last month. Beloved by fans for his stocky physique, the Australian-born creature, Wain, celebrated his birthday at Satsukiyama Zoo in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture. He would be over 100 in human years. Wain was donated to the zoo in 1990 by Ikeda’s Australian sister city, Launceston, as a goodwill ambassador. Guinness World Records recognized him in 2022 as the oldest wombat ever in captivity. Zoo director Kozo Sejima said, “He’s a legend in the wombat world. We will continue to look over his long life.” The zoo, currently undergoing renovations, livestreamed Wain’s birthday party on Feb. 11 and screened it at a public viewing event in a town square near a train station. Fans cheered as Wain appeared on the screen, energetically drinking water. They also filled a message board that was set up at the venue with congratulatory messages. The zoo, which currently has five wombats, is one of only two zoos in the country to house the animal. The other is Chausuyama Zoo in Nagano Prefecture, which has just one. Like koalas, wombats are marsupials, but unlike their tree-climbing relatives, they live on the ground, earning them the nickname “koalas of the land.” The average age of wombats is about 20 to 25 years in captivity.