Michael Jackson’s son Bigi “Blanket” makes a rare red carpet appearance with his family
It’s been almost 17 years since Michael Jackson’s death, but his beloved chimpanzee, Bubbles, is still roaming around.
Yes, this primate is now 43 years old and thriving at the Great Ape Center in Wauchula, Florida.
“He’s a very sweet, gentle guy,” Patti Regan, the sanctuary’s founding director, told Variety in an April 24 interview. “People still think of him as that cute pink-faced baby that Michael used to carry around. But now he’s a big boy, weighing about 170 pounds.”
She continued: “He lives in a group of five people and we are currently introducing some young people to the group.”
Bubbles spent her early years with Jackson at the Neverland Ranch in California. He was moved to Great Apes in 2005, where he “helped raise two babies,” Ragan said.
“He’s good with young people, but he’s slowed down a little bit,” she said. “It may take a while to climb the ladder, but they eat well.”
And lately, Bubbles has been enjoying fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, and playing with Velcro backpacks.
“He likes to carry his treasures around in it,” Ragan added.
