A circus elephant in Germany has escaped his tent and killed a man who was on an early morning walk.

The 65-year-old victim was collecting bottles and cans in the town of Buchen at around 5.30am local time on Saturday, when the 34-year-old African elephant apparently charged at him.

When he did not return from his walk at his usual time, the man's wife went looking for him.

Near the circus tents she noticed several police cars, and when she got closer saw the body of her husband.

It remains unclear how the animal escaped his confines and what provoked him.

"The elephant cannot let himself out. So the question is: Did someone let him out or was the cage not properly locked?" a police spokesman said.

A nearby resident had observed the incident and called police.

A circus employee was later able to calm the elephant and return him to the tent.

Source: http://i.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/69370078/circus-elephant-kills-man-in-germany