A gorilla is on the loose in a sleepy town, leaving panicked residents warning “this isn’t a joke”.
The massive animal sparked chaos in the town of Villa de Tezontepec, north east of Mexico City, Mexico.
Police confirmed that the gorilla was roaming the town’s streets but admitted they didn’t yet know for sure where it had come from, and were investigating.
The local council called on residents to report any sightings of the missing primate.
A group of friends spotted the animal on a plot of land at night.
A video showed them shining a torch into a wooded area as the gorilla apparently stood still next to a tree.
A Town Hall of Villa de Tezontepec spokesperson said: "We ask for your help to report the sighting of a gorilla that is lost in the Municipality of Villa de Tezontepec.
"If you see it, contact the Civil Protection number or the emergency number.
"Its origin is unknown."
Local journalist Joaquin Lopez-Doriga said: "This is not a joke.
"Alert in Villa de Tezontepec, Hidalgo, about a missing gorilla.
"The animal was last seen on a plot of land, but the residents could not capture it."
Authorities have reassured the public that their safety remains the priority as they try to ascertain how the gorilla got there in the first place.
Officials also asked that citizens remain calm as the search continues.
One resident said: "This animal needs to be captured alive and without being abused. Respecting life is the most important thing."
Another added: "We better take precautions over this, it's no joke.
"I hope they catch it soon, so if you see it, call the number so we can all be calm."
Someone else said: "It's a smokescreen to make us forget that there are potholes on all f****** sides and the town hall does not get to work."
Jessica remarked: "He must be very scared.
"I hope they manage to locate him and that the capture does not pose any danger to him.
"He's in an unknown environment where he should not be."
Eduardo commented: "If Villa de Tezontepec is not considered a magical town after this announcement, I'll never understand why.
"Now it has everything."
Raul joked: "I need to call Tarzan.”
Gorillas are not indigenous to Mexico so it isn't known how they ended up there.
