Michael Jackson’s pet chimpanzee Bubbles is living his best life at an animal sanctuary at the impressive age of 41, it was revealed a day before the 15th anniversary of the King of Pop’s death.
The famous primate has been enjoying a pleasant life at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida, according to a Monday report from TMZ which came just days after the late singer’s son Bigi, 22, was spotted on a rare outing.
Bubbles is in the twilight of her life, as the average life expectancy of a chimpanzee in captivity is between 50 and 60 years.
Sanctuary director Patti Ragan told the publication that Bubbles has a lot of freedom at the sanctuary, including exploring tunnels, building nests under a tree, taking daily midday naps, and even occasionally painting.
The chimpanzee weighs 180 pounds and is regularly examined by a veterinarian, as well as a team of caretakers.
Bubbles, Michael Jackson’s pet chimpanzee (both photographed in Osaka, Japan, in September 1987), is living her best life in an animal sanctuary at the impressive age of 41, it was revealed a day before the 15th anniversary of the death of the King of Pop.
The famous primate has been enjoying a pleasant life at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida, according to a Monday report from TMZ that came just days after the late singer’s son, Bigi, 22, was spotted in a rare outing; Bubbles appears in the photo recently
Ragan told TMZ that Bubbles is a friendly chimpanzee who interacts well with visitors and other animals, as it was also claimed that the famous pet has not shown any signs of abuse in the past.
The sanctuary plays music and videos of Michael for those in captivity, but it has been said that Bubbles doesn’t seem to enjoy it any more than the rest of the primates at the facility.
The update comes at an interesting time, as Tuesday marks the 15th anniversary of the death of Michael, who died on June 25, 2009 from acute propofol poisoning.
The Michael Jackson Estate has continued to care for Bubbles in the years since the Bad singer’s death, as it contributes to his annual care costs, which amount to about $30,000 a year.
Additionally, the King of Pop’s hardcore fan club also sends the chimpanzee various treats, including mangoes and coconuts, and blankets.
It has also been said that Michael’s lawyer and family members have come to visit Bubbles over the years and have had nothing but “sweet encounters” with the animal.
The mission of the Center for Great Apes “is to provide a sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees that have been rescued or removed from entertainment, research or the pet trade.”
In 2005, Bubbles headed to the Florida facility after being deemed “too aggressive” to live in Jackson’s home.
Sanctuary director Patti Ragan told the publication that Bubbles has a lot of freedom at the sanctuary, including exploring tunnels, building nests under a tree, taking daily midday naps, and even occasionally painting.
In 2005, Bubbles headed to the Florida facility after being deemed “too aggressive” to live in Jackson’s home.
The center lists Bubbles as a “physically imposing 185-pound, 4-and-a-half-foot adult male” who “is now treated as the dominant male in his group of chimpanzees that includes his best friends, Ripley and Oopsie.”
“Bubbles enjoys quiet time and painting,” according to the website.
The website adds that “the bubbles will occasionally spit water or throw sand (with amazing precision) at strangers just to see how they react.”
In March, the center posted an Instagram celebrating Bubbles’ 19th birthday there, as they revealed that they don’t know her actual birthdate, but do know she was born in 1983.
The caption read: “Bubbles was reportedly born in a biomedical laboratory.”
In March, the center posted an Instagram celebrating Bubbles’ 19th birthday there, as they revealed that they don’t know her actual birthdate, but do know she was born in 1983.
Finally, a Hollywood trainer gave Bubbles to Michael in 1986.
The post read: “While still a baby, he was taken from his mother and given to a Hollywood trainer, who then gave him away as a pet chimpanzee to world-famous pop singer Michael Jackson.
‘In such a bright setting, it’s no surprise that Bubbles soon gained fame (and many fans) on her own. She appeared in television shows, movies and music videos. When he was only four years old, she went to Japan on a promotional tour with Jackson.
Other famous primates at the Great Apes Center include Sammy, who starred in the 1996 Dunston film Checks In, twins Jonah and Jacob, who starred in Mark Wahlberg’s 2001 film Planet Of The Apes, and Bo and Joe, who lived at the CW Exotics facility that was at the center of the popular Netflix documentary series Tiger King.