An elephant has surprised shoppers at a market in Holland, after escaping from the circus and joining them for a lazy spot of retail therapy.

The animal named ‘Buba’ was filmed strolling through the market, in the Dutch town of Noordwijkerhout, yesterday, Ad.nl reports.

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Trunk in full swing, the female beast moves through the market as stunned shoppers look on with phone in hand. Many of the shoppers keep a wide berth.

According to reports, Buba escaped from a nearby circus.

“My heart did go a bit faster,” said Alice de Groot, shopping at the market.

Ms de Groot said Buba did not seem scared by the surrounds.

“(When her carer arrived) he called Buba, and the elephant turned around and went like a tame lamb with him,” she said.

Circus Freiwald spokesman Gerard Guiking said the 40-year-old giant doesn’t like to be fenced in.

“She’s never fixed and bears no collar. We cannot stop her,” he said. “She loves children and super sweet. She really is like a dog who goes sometimes to walk.”

Watch the elephant’s spot of shopping here: