Panthers escape enclosure after Sandy

YULEE, Fla., Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Two young panthers are on the loose in Florida after a tree felled by Hurricane Sandy broke the fence on their wildlife enclosure.

Officials said the panthers, which were tagged with radio collars, haven't gone far and are still on property belonging to White Oak Conservation Center in Yulee where they lived.

The panthers, a brother and sister, have lived at the sanctuary since their mother died when they were 5 months old, ABC News reported Thursday. Wildlife officials had hoped to keep them there until roughly age 3, when they would be released back into the wild.

Florida wildlife officials said there are 100 to 160 wild panthers living in southern Florida.