The oldest-known wombat in the world is shuffling toward his mid-30s, exceeding the average wild wombat's age by an estimated 20 years.
The marsupial — called Wain, and also known as Mr Wine — started life at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania but has spent most of his life in Japan.
Found as an orphan in November 1989, Wain spent a brief period in care in northern Tasmania before being sent overseas to mark a long-standing relationship between Tasmania's City of Launceston and Ikeda in Japan.
Androo Kelly, owner of Trowunna Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania, helped establish the enclosure in Ikeda where Wain lives.
He said Wain definitely looked "like an old wombat" but was in excellent condition for his age.
Move to Japan
Wain was thought to be six or seven months of age when he was rescued in Tasmania, and Mr Kelly estimates he will turn 35 this month, continuing his reign as the world's oldest wombat, as acknowledged by Guiness World Records.
The official record book lists Wain as 34 years old, but explains that his estimated age means he could already be 35 years old.
Wain was whisked away to live in Japan at approximately a year old.
Prior to his move to Satsukiyama Zoo, Ikeda's sister city relationship with Launceston had already seen the transfer of native species between the cities.
Japanese macaque monkeys had been sent to live in the heart of Launceston at City Park, and Bennett's wallabies were sent to Satsukiyama Zoo in return.
Then, a request for wombats was received.
"I worked with [Satsukiyama Zoo] to develop an adequate wombat facility to house three wombats," Mr Kelly said.
"They were exported to Japan in 1990 … and within two years they had bred two wombats, which was quite unique.
"There was a lot of publicity worldwide because there hadn't been wombat breeding in captivity anywhere in the world."
Wain outlived his offspring and in 2022, the zoo discovered Wain was the oldest-known wombat in the world.
"[He] is doing well considering his age." Mr Kelly said.
"He still shuffles around and goes into his hollow log … and does a little bit of digging.
"He's just slower, that's all."
Secrets to a long life
Little is known about wombat life spans in natural conditions, but the animals are thought to live to about 15 years of age.
But in captivity, wombat life spans of over 30 years have been observed.
Ecologist Scott Carver, a professor of disease ecology at the University of Georgia, said there had been examples in Australia and the United States.
"There's a wombat that lived to at least 33, called Carver. Ironically, that's also my last name," Professor Carver said.
"That wombat was a southern hairy-nosed wombat at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.
"I'm also aware of another case in Australia, at Ballarat Wildlife Park, where a wombat named Patrick lived to at least 31 years old."
Patrick died in 2017, just over four months shy of his 32nd birthday.
A permanent memorial was erected at the park to honour him.
A good diet and excellent care may have added years to Wain's life.
"[His age] shows great care of that animal," Mr Kelly said.
"They do really care and look after the wombats like no- one else.
"They're treasures to the Japanese, they almost worship the wombats."
New friends for Wain
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Launceston and Ikeda, and to mark the date, more wombats may be sent to Japan.
Although Wain is receiving excellent care, Mr Kelly said he had pushed for changes to the wombats' living space in Ikeda.
He said he was holding off on providing additional wombats Satsukiyama Zoo until upgrades to the facility were made.
A new facility is planned, and Mr Kelly said he would provide additional wombats if it was built.
He hopes to visit the zoo later this year, to check progress and visit his old friend Wain.
"If the plan goes to plan, Wain will have some company." Mr Kelly said.