BERLIN (AFP) - An escaped circus elephant attacked and killed a 65-year-old German man as he was taking his usual morning walk on Saturday, police said.

The female elephant, named Baby, crossed paths with the man around 5.30am (11.30am Singapore time) and proceeded to attack him as he walked in the town of Buchen in south-west Germany.

An employee from the nearby circus, from which Baby had escaped, was able to calm the elephant and coax her back to the tent.

Animal rights group Peta, cited by German news agency DPA, said Baby had previously injured three other people including a child.

Police have opened an inquiry.