WAUCHULA – While Michael Jackson is no more, his famous chimp, Bubbles, lives in Florida at The Center for Great Apes.
The center started in 1984, when founder Patti Ragan spent time at rehabilitation project for wild orangutans in Borneo. Later, and living in Miami and with that knowledge, she was asked to care for an orangutan at a Miami tourist attraction. When she could not find a home for it at a zoo, she decided to open a nonprofit to make a home for primates herself.
After formally establishing the nonprofit in 1993, it took four more years to find the perfect location for a sanctuary site – one that was both affordable and would meet the needs of the apes. It started at 14 acres and is now 100 acres of habitat for chimpanzees and orangutans.
Bubbles points up an important issue that the center stresses, namely that small chimps are cute, but when they get to be big, they are difficult to handle. The official bio of Bubbles from the site:
Bubbles was born in a biomedical laboratory, but taken from his mother and sold to a Hollywood trainer while still an infant. He was purchased for Michael Jackson and soon gained fame as Jackson’s pet chimpanzee. He appeared in television shows, movies, and music videos before he “retired” at age 6 or 7. When Bubbles was only 5, he toured Japan in a promotional tour with Michael Jackson. While there, he sat in on interviews with Jackson and “moonwalked” for the press. But, as he grew too strong to be around people, he lived most of his life at the trainer’s California animal compound in the company of an older chimpanzee named Sam. Both Bubbles and Sam arrived at the Center for Great Apes in March 2005 with a large group of chimpanzees, all from the entertainment world.
You cannot come to the sanctuary as a visitor, however supporters do have an opportunity to visit the park. Each year, there is a Member Day in the spring. And in addition to the annual Member event, members who join can visit by appointment. Locals can volunteer, as well. Giving levels include:
- at the Orangutan Family level ($250-$999) may a schedule a walking tour of the sanctuary grounds for up to four family members.
- at the Great Ape Family level ($1000-$9999) will include a private “behind-the-scenes” tour of the sanctuary and facilities for up to six family members or guests.
- at the Founder’s Club level ($10,000 and above) may schedule an overnight stay in one of our guest cabins and join the Director for dinner.
Learn more about the work of the center by visiting their website, centerforgreatapes.org
