Social media mourns world's oldest bare-nosed wombat, Patrick, dead at 32

It's not often wombats grow into their thirties, or get internet famous.

Residing at Australia's Ballarat Wildlife Park since the '80s, Patrick was both. After a long life and plenty of attention, the adorable bare-nosed wombat died on Tuesday aged 32. He was the oldest known wombat of its kind living in captivity.

Exceeding its expected lifespan by more than a decade, Patrick was a local treasure, gaining thousands of social media followers, won over by its bucked tooth smile.

"For Patrick's age he has been in amazingly good health for the past few years, and only recently have we initiated geriatric care of a similar nature to dogs and cats," Adrienne Lavinia, the park's resident veterinarian, said in a statement.

"Due to a sudden decline in health, the difficult decision was made to put him to sleep whilst surrounded by all his carers."

Patrick was an orphan when he was brought to the park, after his mother died of a car accident in 1987. Common wombats live up to 11 years old in the wild, and can live into their twenties in captivity, according to the Australian Museum.

A permanent memorial will be erected at the park in honour of Patrick. Meanwhile, tributes are coming in fast online.

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We'll miss you Patrick!