A ZOO employee has reportedly admitted to disposing of his wife’s body in the work incinerator before starting his shift.
The bizarre confession has delayed the opening of the popular tourist destination for the season as police scourer the animal enclosures for clues of the alleged grisly .
A man has reportedly confessed to disposing of his wife’s body in the zoo incinerator Credit: Alamy
Asahiyama Zoo had been closed for annual maintenance but was due to reopen this week Credit: Getty
An employee of ‘s Asahiyama Zoo, identified only as a man in his 30s, is under suspicion of illegally disposing his wife’s body after she was reported missing.
A frantic friend of the zoo worker’s wife phoned cops back in late March after growing concerned when they were unable to reach her.
When first asked by police, the man wasn’t able to explain his wife’s disappearance and reportedly gave odd reasons why he couldn’t contact her.
When the employee was questioned by police on April 23, he reportedly confessed to investigators he had burnt her body in the zoo’s incinerator.
The employee of Asahiyama Zoo is under suspicion by police Credit: Getty
Asahiyama Zoo is working as quickly as possible to reopen to tourists Credit: Getty
It’s not yet known how the wife died.
The zoo, a popular destination in Hokkaido, will remain closed until at least May 1, delaying the much awaited Golden Week celebrations.
The site had been closed for annual in preparation for the busy tourist summer
In a news conference on April 28, Asahikawa Mayor Hirosuke Imazu called the postponement “a painful decision” and apologised for the “great inconvenience” to visitors planning to visit over the .
He said the zoo had received “a great many encouraging messages” from citizens and fans nationwide, which he said has been “a great source of strength for the zoo and its staff.”
Still, concerns have been raised locally about potential long-term damage to the zoo’s image and a drop in visitor numbers that could impact the regional economy, Asahi reported.
The mayor also warned that “sudden closures or limiting access to certain areas” could be necessary as the proceeds.
City officials said the zoo is cooperating fully with the investigation and staff are still caring for the animals.
“A zoo exists to be seen by visitors,” the official said.
“We made our final decision based on the voices of the public, who said, ‘We want things to return to normal as soon as possible.’”
Asahiyama Zoo, Japan’s northernmost, opened in 1967.
Known for its innovative “behavioural exhibits,” which allow zoo-goers to see the animals’ natural behaviours, it drew approximately 1.33 million visitors in fiscal 2025.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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