In all of the shock and sadness of Michael Jackson’s passing, I have to admit I have wondered….”What ever happened to his pet chimpanzee Bubbles?” Well, it seems I am not the only one to wonder…..here is a MSN news article I pulled today. It seems that ‘Entertainment Tonight’ has answered the curious question.
Where is Michael Jackson’s beloved pet chimp?
ET can tell you where Michael Jackson’s former pet chimpanzee, Bubbles, is today.
Bubbles is alive and thriving at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Fla., according to the center’s Web site.
The center reports that Bubbles was born in 1983 in a biomedical laboratory, and purchased as a young chimp by an entertainment trainer. The chimp was later acquired by Jackson and accompanied the superstar on his world travels. Bubbles retired at age six or seven, and thereafter lived at a California trainer’s compound with his chimp buddy Sam until 2005, when he moved to the Center for Great Apes.
The Center’s Web site reports that while Bubbles “is able to throw sand with amazing accuracy, he is extremely gentle with the youngsters, especially infant [chimp] Stryker. In fact, the baby can often be seen riding around on Bubbles’ back.”
His caregivers also report, “Bubbles can be sensitive and dramatic. If he has any kind of cut or scratch on his body … no matter how small … he will show it many times during the day to his caregivers and ask for sympathy.”
The Web site notes that interested parties can “adopt” Bubbles, and give the following “adoption” information: “For a donation of $150, you will receive an adoption certificate, frame quality photograph with biography, and become a member of the sanctuary for one year. For $10,000 you can become my exclusive adoptive “parent” for one full year and have the opportunity for a unique overnight stay in a guest cabin on sanctuary grounds.”
**Click here for pictures and info about Bubbles**
Tags: bubbles, center, chimp, chimpanzee, great apes, michael jackson, Whales & Friends, whales blog
