Bardot might leave France over elephant euthanization

PARIS, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- French actress Brigitte Bardot says she will apply for Russian citizenship if French authorities euthanize two sick elephants at a Lyon zoo as planned.

"If those in power have the cowardice and insolence to kill the two elephants Baby and Nepal ... I have decided to ask for Russian nationality in order to flee this country, which is now just an animal cemetery," Radio France Internationale reported the 78-year-old actress said in a statement posted on the website of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, her animal rights group.

French actor Gerard Depardieu was granted Russian citizenship this week after he recently announced he was leaving France due to its high income taxes on wealthy citizens.