Where Is Michael Jackson's Chimpanzee Bubbles Now, Over Two Decades After Leaving Neverland?

When Michael Jackson died in 2009, the world mourned one of music's greatest icons.

But fewer people stopped to wonder what had become of Bubbles, the chimpanzee who toured the world alongside the celebrity, posed for photographs with stars, and lived inside the gates of Neverland.

Now 43 years old, Bubbles is very much alive, and his life today looks nothing like the one he once shared with the King of Pop.

How Did Bubbles First Come Into Michael Jackson's Life?

Jackson first acquired Bubbles in 1983 from a Texas research facility, with the help of animal trainer Bob Dunn.

The chimpanzee moved into the singer's Los Angeles home and later made the journey to Neverland when Jackson relocated there in 1988. For nearly two decades, Bubbles was as much a fixture of Jackson's world as his music.

What Was Life Like for Bubbles During His Celebrity Years?

Bubbles travelled on tour with Jackson and reportedly lived much like a member of the household.

According to People magazine, his celebrity encounters included sharing a hotel room with Jon Bon Jovi, possibly attending school with Riley Keough, and allegedly biting Rashida Jones.

Why Did Bubbles Eventually Have to Leave Neverland?

As Bubbles grew older and larger, keeping him around Jackson's young children became unsafe. In 2003, he was returned to Bob Dunn, before being transferred to the Center for Great Apes in Florida in 2005.

Where Is Bubbles Living Now?

Bubbles currently resides at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida, where he has lived for over two decades. The sanctuary provides a calm environment designed for chimpanzees rescued from entertainment and private ownership.

Who Makes Up Bubbles' Family at the Sanctuary?

The chimpanzee lives with a 53-year-old female named Oopsie, her daughter Boma, and two younger chimpanzees, Kodua and Stryker.

The sanctuary describes him as exceptionally patient and caring, and he has firmly established himself as the respected dominant alpha leader of his chimpanzee group..

What Does a Typical Day Look Like for Bubbles Today?

Bubbles spends his days sleeping in his hammock, flipping through magazines, and napping in a favourite shaded spot.

While the sanctuary occasionally plays music and videos for enrichment, caregivers note that Bubbles doesn't show any special preference for his former owner's hits.

At 43, he is healthy, settled, and surrounded by a family he found long after Neverland.

(With inputs from yMedia)