Bubbles (chimpanzee)

Bubbles

Bubbles being held in Michael Jackson's arm
Species	Common chimpanzee
Sex	Male
Born	1983 Austin, Texas, United States
Notable role	Companion animal, occasional actor
Known for	One-time companion animal of American recording artist Michael Jackson
Owner	Michael Jackson
Weight	160 pounds (73 kg) - 170 pounds (77 kg)

Bubbles (born 1983) is a common chimpanzee, known for being the one-time companion animal of American recording artist Michael Jackson, who bought the primate from a Texas research facility in the early 1980s. The animal was a frequent travel companion to the singer, whose attachment to the animal led to media mockery and, among other factors, a public perception of Jackson as eccentric. During the Bad World Tour, for example, Jackson brought Bubbles with him to Japan, where they both drank tea with the mayor of Osaka.

Bubbles was initially kept at the Jackson family's home in Encino, Los Angeles, but was moved to Neverland Ranch in 1988. There, he slept in a crib in Jackson's bedroom, used the singer's toilet and ate candy in the Neverland movie theater. By 2003, like many captive chimpanzees, Bubbles had matured into a large and aggressive adult chimp unsuitable as a companion animal. He was sent to a California animal trainer. When the trainer closed his operation in 2004, Bubbles was moved to the Center for Great Apes, a sanctuary in Wauchula, Florida, where he has lived since 2005.

Bubbles was born in early 1983 in an Austin, Texas research facility that bred primates for animal testing. There are conflicting reports as to how he came into Jackson's possession. Multiple reports state that Jackson had Bubbles bought for him when the chimpanzee was eight months old. The acquisition was said to have been supervised by Bob Dunn, then one of Hollywood's most famous suppliers and trainers of animals for films, photoshoots and advertisements.

Bubbles was kept at the Jackson family's Encino home until 1988 when he was moved to Jackson's newly acquired Neverland Ranch. There, Bubbles slept in a crib in the singer's bedroom, ate candy in the Neverland movie theater, was fed at the dining table, wore a diaper, and relieved himself in Jackson's personal toilet.