One of the little-known aspects of Michael Jackson It was affection for animals. One of his most recognizable pets is Bubblesthe famous singer’s chimpanzee He is currently 41 years old and lives freely in an animal sanctuary located in Florida, United States.
Despite the strong bond he had with the little monkey, the ‘King of Pop’ was unable to raise the animal after reaching adulthood. In addition, his stay in the artist’s home became more complex after the birth of his third child, since Jackson feared that the primate could harm the newborn, reported the RPP media.
The chimpanzee, born in April 1983, captured the public’s attention thanks to his role in the music industry. This ape was not only present at Hayvenhurst, Michael Jackson’s mansion, during the recording of the demos of the iconic albums ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bad’but also shone on stage during the Bad World Tourone of Jackson’s most successful tours between 1987 and 1989.
Furthermore, the animal left its mark in the world of cinema by appearing in the video clip of ‘Liberian Girl’sharing the screen with celebrities such as John Travolta and Steven Spielberg. His popularity was such that in 1988, the artist Jeff Koons immortalized him in a Porcelain figureinspired by the animal’s special relationship with the pop idol.
The chimpanzee’s life took a turn when he moved to Neverland Ranch in 1989, where he enjoyed the freedom and company of the stars who visited Jackson. However, not everyone was a fan of Bubbles; Freddie Mercuryleader of Queen, showed his displeasure with the chimpanzee during a recording sessionmarking another notable incident in the life of the famous primate.
The chimpanzee’s suicide attempt after walking away from the singer
The life of the primate has not been without difficulties. As he grew older and gained weight, his stay at the Neverland Ranch became increasingly more complicated. Jackson’s concern increased with the birth of his son Prince Michael II in 2002, fearing that the monkey might harm the newborn, leading the singer to make the decision to send him to Bob Dunn’s ranch.
However, the stay at the ranch was not peaceful for the chimpanzee, who He was found in critical condition shortly after his arrival.. International media reports indicated that the animal had attempted suicide due to stress in the new environment. Faced with this alarming situation, Jackson chose to entrust Bubbles to a trainer he trusted.
Finally, the primate was transferred to a sanctuary in Florida, United States, where he currently lives in the wild. There, he shares his home with other famous primates, such as the orangutan Popi, known for his appearance in the movie “Die Hard,” and the orangutan Tango, famous for Tango soft drink commercials. This sanctuary became a safe haven where Bubbles can enjoy a more peaceful and proper life.
The present of Bubbles, Michael Jackson’s monkey, at an animal sanctuary
Patti Ragan, director of the ape center in Florida, has shared details with TMZ about the current life of Bubbles, the chimpanzee who was the companion of the late “King of Pop.”
“Bubbles has a lot of freedom at the sanctuary. He is able to explore tunnels, build a nest under a tree, take daily midday naps and occasionally even paint,” Ragan explained.
The news portal reported that Bubbles is checked “periodically” by a team of veterinarians and caretakers, with an annual cost of 30 thousand dollars (about 28 million Chilean pesos). This care is crucial, considering that the primate is approaching the maximum average lifespan of its species, which is about 50 years.
According to TMZ, Ragan describes the famous resident as a chimpanzee “friendly that interacts well with visitors and other animals”, including his chimpanzee companions: Oopsie, Boma, Ripley, Kodua and Stryker. Additionally, it is stated that “Bubbles does not show any signs of past abuse,” which underlines the quality of life she now has at the sanctuary.
