A zoo worker allegedly dumped his wife's body in an incinerator used to dispose of dead animals.

Police searched the Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, Japan, after the employee, in his 30s, reportedly told them that he 'abandoned his wife's body in an incinerator on the zoo and burned it for several hours outside of business hours.'

According to local media, authorities had been looking for the employee's wife, also in her 30s, after a friend reported her disappearance to the cops late last month. 

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 that he had burnt her body in the zoo's incinerator.

It has not yet been confirmed how the wife died. 

It has also been reported that shortly before his wife went missing, he had told her, 'I'll burn you to ashes so nothing remains', and made other threatening remarks.

The zoo - one of Japan's most popular - has now been closed until Friday, despite it having been preparing to welcome visitors on Wednesday in time for Japan's Golden Week holiday period. 

Hirosuke Imazu, the mayor of Asahikawa city, told a press conference on Tuesday that authorities were now managing what he described as an 'unprecedented crisis'.

'No one could have predicted it,' he said. 'I am overcome with immense anxiety, and I am facing a crisis of unprecedented magnitude.'

'We are making preparations to welcome you, so we hope that as many people as possible will come to the park.'

He also 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 investigation 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.'

The zoo had been closed since April 8 for maintenance ahead of the approaching summer period. 

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.