The National Zoo's strong gesture to staff after an employee was found dead in a storage room and her colleague was charged with murder
The National Zoo & Aquarium has reopened after staff were given the option to take time off following the alleged murder of their female colleague.
The Canberra-based facility, revealed in a Facebook post, had allowed employees to take the day off to mourn the loss of Tshewang Choden.
Ms Choden, a Bhutanese national, was found dead in a storage area behind a commercial kitchen at the on-site accommodation on Monday afternoon.
Sous chef Jude Wijesinghe, 29, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with murder.
National Zoo & Aquarium management released a statement on the same day revealing that heartbroken staff had decided to continue their duties on Wednesday.
The National Zoo & Aquarium has reopened after staff were given the option to take time off following the alleged murder of their female colleague
Sous chef Jude Wijesinghe, 29, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with murder
“The zoo staff would prefer to be at work and that is why the zoo will reopen to the public from 9:30 am on Wednesday morning,” the statement said.
'Staff have been given the choice to work or not, but we expect all normal services will be available.
'Our staff would like to welcome you to the zoo and look forward to seeing you. It will be closed on Christmas Day as usual.”
Jamala Wildlife Lodge, the accommodation for zoo visitors where Ms Choden's body was found, will remain closed until December 30.
“Jamala staff overall have been significantly affected by the events and Jamala will remain closed until December 30 and will reopen depending on staff sentiments and availability,” the statement said.
Opened in 2014, Jamala Wildlife Lodge is a luxury safari-style lodge where guests sleep, bathe and unwind just inches from giraffes, tigers and lions.
The zoo's owners also shared their condolences with the families of those affected by Monday's “tragic events.”
“They would like to express their sadness to all staff, many of whom have been significantly affected by this event,” the statement said.
'They would also like to thank the staff who showed incredible strength and compassion during a horrific time.
'Thanks also to the many friends, visitors, members, employees and the general public for their kind thoughts and messages of support.'
National Zoo & Aquarium management released a statement on Wednesday revealing that heartbroken staff had decided to continue their duties
The National Zoo's Jamala Wildlife Lodge (pictured) will remain closed until December 30
Wijesinghe, 29, was charged by detectives during a hospital bedside hearing on Tuesday and refused bail.
He will remain in custody until his next court appearance on April 4.
The cook's shocked neighbors said police stormed an Oaks Estate unit complex at around 2pm before spending around eight-eight hours searching Wijesinghe's unit.
The privately owned apartment complex consists of more than twenty single bedrooms. Residents called Wijesinghe a 'good neighbor'.
“He's been here about one to two years,” one resident said. 'Before that, a group of boys lived there.
According to social media, Wijesinghe has worked as a chef across Australia since migrating from Sri Lanka.
He was sous chef at Jamala Wildlife Lodge, part of the National Zoo & Aquarium.
Photos on his social media show him as a gym and motorcycle enthusiast.
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