A wild animal – believed to be a lioness – is on the loose on the outskirts of German capital Berlin.

Police tweeted in the early hours to tell people to stay inside and bring in pets.

Hunters, vets, a helicopter and thermal cameras are reportedly involved in the search.

Officers have been using loudspeakers and emergency apps to warn people in the Kleinmachnow, Teltow and Stahnsdorf areas.

German media said members of the public raised the alarm after seeing the animal chasing a wild boar.

“The two gentlemen recorded a smartphone video and even experienced police officers had to confirm that it is probably a lioness,” police spokesman Daniel Kiep told local broadcaster rbb.

No zoos or circuses have reported missing an animal, so it’s unclear where it came from.

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Police were still searching the southwest fringes of the city as daylight broke and believe it could be sleeping in a wooded area.

“The escaping wild animal has NOT been found yet! We still ask you not to leave the house. If you see the animal, please call the emergency number 110!,” Brandenburg police tweeted.

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