Chef is charged with Canberra zoo stabbing

Jude Wijesinghe, from Oaks Estate in Canberra, is being treated for stab wounds in Canberra Hospital. Police said on Monday the stab wounds were self-inflicted. He was charged at the hospital.

He pleaded not guilty in a video court hearing from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

The victim has been named as Tshewang Choden. She is a citizen of Bhutan.

ACT Policing said: "ACT Policing homicide detectives have today charged a 29-year-old man with one count of murder during a bedside hearing following an incident at the National Zoo and Aquarium yesterday [Monday].

"The man was refused bail, and will next appear in court on April 4," the police said.

The accused man's Facebook profile describes him as a "sous chef at Jamala Wildlife Lodge, Canberra, Australia". He trained at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.

The embassy of Bhutan confirmed the alleged victim was a citizen of the small country in the Himalayas.

"The embassy is in close contact with the bereaved family of the deceased as well as the police and providing consular support," it said in a statement.

"The close-knit Bhutanese community in Canberra is deeply affected by this tragic incident involving a member of our community and is rallying around the bereaved family during this very difficult period. On behalf of the family and our community, we request that the media respect their privacy and allow them space to grieve this extremely tragic and sad loss.

"A major homicide investigation is now underway and we are unable to share further information until facts are established by the police."

Police said after the death that a homicide investigation was underway after the body of a 29-year-old woman was found in the zoo's commercial kitchen area.

Detective Superintendent Hall O'Meagher said on Monday there were no direct witnesses to the incident, which happened around lunchtime, but "loud screams" were heard from the area.

The dead woman was found in a store-room in the kitchen area.

The detective said on Monday that the two people knew each other as co-workers but it wasn't known if they had any other relationship.

In a statement to members, the national institution said the zoo and Jamala would remain closed on Tuesday "in respect of all those affected directly or indirectly".

"Our thoughts are with the families along with those staff affected in one way or another - all staff have been given access to trauma counselling," the National Zoo said in a statement.

"Tours and encounters will be cancelled for the day and we hope that we will be ready to resume operations on Wednesday.

"We request that visitors and guests recognise the significant trauma that staff have experienced and that they respect their need for privacy on this matter."

Police said officers and emergency services responded to reports of a disturbance at the zoo about 12.50pm.

Police said they were still investigating the incident and asked anyone with information that could help them to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website and quote 7623644.