If you think the land Down Under is all about kangaroos and koalas, you’re just about to be proven wrong! Patrick the wombat is Ballarat Wildlife Park’s most well-known and well-loved star and it doesn’t take a scientist to figure out why this “wombassador” is a crowd favourite.
This little fella turned 29 in September, making him the oldest-known bare-nosed wombat or common wombat in the world!
Earlier this year, a photo of Patrick was posted on Reddit and it received more than 600,000 views and if you’re wondering just how famous this marsupial is, he has met celebrities such as Nicolas Cage, Kirstie Alley and Kim Cattrall!
First found by the roadside back in 1986, Wildlife Park manager Greg Parker says Patrick was “a rascal back then.” “Once he was in the car and climbed over to the driver’s side, putting the car in gear, and drove it right through the neighbour’s fence.”
Patrick, affectionately known as Paddy, was named one of the greatest city mascots in the world by CNN recently and he happens to be the only wombat in the world to receive this honour.
The oldest common wombat in captivity loves his wheelbarrow rides and carries out his”wombassador” duties by being wheeled around the park to meet and mingle with visitors at the Wildlife Park in Ballarat.
Ballarat is Victoria’s third largest city which rich history began with the Gold Rush in 1851. To find out more about the Ballarat Wildlife Park and other attractions in Ballarat, go to www.visitmelbourne.com or www.wildlifepark.com.au. You can also follow Patrick’s journey through his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Patrickthewombat.
