Bardot protests New Jersey bear hunt 'carnage'

French actress turned animal rights campaigner Brigitte Bardot on Friday urged authorities in New Jersey to halt what she called the "scandalous carnage" of an annual bear hunt. Wildlife officials in the state say the six-day cull is needed to control a growing population of black bears. With two days of hunting to go, a total of 369 black bears have been killed, the Division of Fish and Wildlife said on its website. Last year, 592 bears were killed, or what hunters call "harvested." Bardot, who left her sex symbol days behind to devote herself to the plight of a variety of animals worldwide, wrote to Republican Governor Chris Christie, saying the hunt "tarnishes the image of your state." Her Fondation Brigitte Bardot takes inspiration from Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, who said countries' greatness could be judged on their treatment of animals. "What can we think about the state of New Jersey where 592 bears are condemned to death?" Bardot wrote.