Michael Jacksons Chimp Bubbles Thrives at Florida Sanctuary

Michael Jackson's former pet chimpanzee Bubbles, now 43 years old, lives comfortably at the Center for Great Apes sanctuary in Wauchula, Florida, nearly two decades after the singer's death. The primate's story has resurfaced with the release of the biopic "Michael," which portrays Bubbles using computer-generated imagery alongside other animals from Jackson's collection.

Jackson rescued Bubbles from a Texas research laboratory in the 1980s. The chimpanzee initially stayed at the Jackson family home in Encino, California, before moving to Neverland Ranch. There, Bubbles slept in a crib in Jackson's bedroom, accompanied the singer on tour, attended events such as a lawyer's wedding and meetings with Japanese officials, and shared meals and activities. As Bubbles grew larger and more assertive, reaching about 170 pounds, he was transferred to an animal trainer before arriving at the Florida sanctuary in 2005, where he has remained.

Patti Ragan, the sanctuary's founding director, described Bubbles as "such a sweet, sweet guy." She noted that people often remember him as the small chimpanzee Jackson carried, but he now lives with a group of five others, including his close companion...