PARIS (AP) — Brigitte Bardot wants President Barack Obama to save the world's seals. The French movie icon and longtime animal-rights activist has sent a letter to Obama urging him to speak out against seal hunting.

Bardot said Friday that she has "immense hope" in Obama, "even if I know that he is in demand from all directions and he already has a lot to do in his own country."

The letter was linked to Obama's visit Thursday to Canada, whose large annual seal hunt often is criticized.

The U.S. banned Canadian seal products in 1972.

The European Union is considering a ban on seal products, and Bardot expressed hope that Obama could use his positive image in Europe to lobby for the ban.

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