Bubbles, Michael Jackson's chimpanzee, lives in Florida sanctuary

Bubbles, the chimpanzee once famously associated with Michael Jackson, is now 43 years old and living in a sanctuary in Wauchula, Florida. After gaining international fame in the 1980s through public appearances and music videos, the primate transitioned to a life away from the spotlight.

Originally rescued from animal experimentation as an eight-month-old, Bubbles lived with Jackson in Encino, California, and later at the Neverland ranch. However, as he reached adulthood, it became clear that living in close proximity to humans was not suitable for a large primate. In 2005, he moved to the Center for Great Apes, a facility dedicated to the welfare of chimpanzees and orangutans.

At the sanctuary, Bubbles lives in an environment designed to meet his ethological needs, featuring climbing structures, vines, tunnels, and pools. Described by staff as calm, reserved, and creative, he has integrated well into his group. Notably, he has developed an unexpected interest in painting.