World’s oldest wombat in captivity joins Tinder to find soulmate before 30th

Ballarat Wildlife Park’€™s Julia Leonard helps Patrick the wombat blow out his candles.

“The male wombat has to be very aggressive towards the female, and Patrick just isn’t a very aggressive wombat”, park owner Julia Leonard told ABC News.

Patrick’s handlers created the humorous profile on the dating service application, Tinder, with the aim of finding the cuddly critter a mate. From his bucktoothed grin to his soft fur and kind personality, any female wombat would be lucky to claim him. “So he chooses to be single…Relationships are a bit complex when you’re a wombat”.

The pampered bare-nosed wombat, who was named the third best city mascot in the world by CNN in 2014, can often be seen being wheelbarrowed around by park staff.

Patrick, affectionately known as Paddy, kicked off his week-long birthday celebrations on Tuesday at his home – Ballarat Wildlife Park.

He hasn’t had any matches yet, but his Facebook page has already garnered 30,000 likes.

Ms Leonard said wombats like Patrick generally live only 15-20 years in captivity and less in the wild.

But even if romance isn’t around the corner, it’s comforting to know that Patrick is surrounded by the love of great friends.

Patrick is one of Ballarat Wildlife Park’s longest term residents – he was rescued by the owners on the side of the road in 1986.

Patrick was orphaned as a tiny baby, and hand raised by the owner thirty years ago.