The body, yet to be identified, was discovered in the area between the Melbourne Zoo and Royal Children’s hospital

A woman’s body has been found in Melbourne between the Melbourne Zoo and the Royal Children’s hospital, in what police have described as a “horrendous crime”.

They have cordoned off a large section of the Royal park in Parkville, encompassing North Park Tennis Club and the Flemington Road Cricket Oval, as well as Elliott Avenue.

A significant amount of bushland runs through the cordoned-off area. The homicide squad detective inspector Andrew Stamper told reporters during a news conference on Saturday afternoon that the death was being treated as suspicious.

The body was found about 9.15am by people walking their dogs, Stamper said.

He urged anyone who was in the area overnight or early in the morning to come forward.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The police have cordoned off a large section of the Parkville park. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

“This is a horrendous crime, as all murders are,” he said. “Our focus will be on catching the perpetrator of this horrendous crime. Sadly at the moment we still don’t know who this female is, and we still don’t know the circumstance that brought her to the park or what happened.”

A police helicopter was in the area on Saturday afternoon as homicide detectives and forensic police combed the area.

“We really need the community’s help with this,” Stamper said.

The police are yet to provide further details about the cause of the woman’s death.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.