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Michael Jackson’s Chimp Bubbles Thrives at Florida Sanctuary

4/25/2026

24 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Bubbles Thrives Sanctuary

Bubbles, Michael Jackson’s chimpanzee, has lived at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida since his 2005 transfer from Neverland Ranch.
The sanctuary’s founding director Patti Ragan says Bubbles weighs about 170 pounds and is a sweet, sweet guy.
Bubbles lives with five other apes while staff add younger members to the group.
Since arriving, Bubbles helped raise two baby apes and enjoys carrying small items in Velcro backpacks.

Summary

Bubbles CGI

The biopic “Michael” will use CGI to portray Bubbles instead of a live chimpanzee.
Lionsgate consulted PETA to confirm the CGI scene does not encourage keeping chimpanzees as pets.
PETA warned that depicting primates as pets can increase illegal wildlife demand.
Activists are urging donations to help primates suffering in the pet trade, roadside zoos, and fake sanctuaries.

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Bubbles Thrives Sanctuary

Bubbles, Michael Jackson’s chimpanzee, has lived at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida since his 2005 transfer from Neverland Ranch.
The sanctuary’s founding director Patti Ragan says Bubbles weighs about 170 pounds and is a sweet, sweet guy.
Bubbles lives with five other apes while staff add younger members to the group.
Since arriving, Bubbles helped raise two baby apes and enjoys carrying small items in Velcro backpacks.

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