Who would have thought that the monkey would outlive the man? Michael Jackson's beloved pet chimpanzee has apparently been dumped by the singer's family, who are failing to contribute to the chimp's $20,000 a year upkeep. Since MJ died in 2009, the not so wee Bubbles has been 'in retirement' in the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida, and the founder of the center Patti Ragan has said that the poor primate had no provisions made for him in Michael's will, meaning that there's no funds to take care of him. None of the existing family seem to care either, with neither Prince, Paris or 'Blanket' visiting him ever, even though the played with him as children. Sadface. Oh except for that time La Toya milked the story for all its worth in a documentary for Animal Planet. Double sadface.
Bubbles lived the life of Reilly in Neverland when MJ was around, and was a common feature in the King of Pops works, including the video for Leave Me Alone, and also had tea with the mayor of Osaka. Apparently Jackson was convinced his pet had an instinct for being able to tell who in his family was trying to live off his fortune, with Michael being said to have barred siblings from his Neverland ranch if the pet did not like them. Now, he is being well taken care of so there's no need to worry too much as public donations to the Center keep Bubbles well fed and watered, but it's still a sad turn around for the chimp. It could be worse though, Jedward or Gaga could have bought him.
