POWELL -- The Wyoming Game and Fish Department paid $443,450 in fiscal year 2009 to ranchers and others who lost livestock, crops, honey, feed and fences to predators and wildlife.

The agency paid out $253,733 the previous year.

Payments are made to compensate for damage or deaths caused by wolves, bears, elk, birds and other animals.

Wolves and grizzly bears were the source of 50 percent of the predation compensation payments this year.

Grizzly bears accounted for 26 percent, and wolves 24 percent.