Heeeere's Bubbles!

Whither Bubbles?

Michael Jackson's chimpanzee was once one of the star's favorite companions in the '80s and early '90s, sleeping in a crib in Jackson's Neverland bedroom and being allowed to use his private bathroom.

Jackson rescued Bubbles from a cancer research center, but was forced to put his beloved pet in an animal sanctuary when Bubbles reached adolescence and became aggressive. Rumors abounded about the fate of the chimp, the most recent being that he had been plastinated (you know, like The Bodies show) and was being exhibited at The Body Worlds & Mirror of Time exhibition at the O2 Centre in London (the very place where Jackson was scheduled to play 50 shows beginning July 13).

But Bubbles is alive and well -- and living at the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Fla. Despite having attended a wedding with Jackson, the 26-year-old chimp will not be attending Sunday’s funeral.

"Probably the best tribute we can pay Michael Jackson here is just to take excellent care of Bubbles because I know he loved Bubbles," the center’s director Patti Ragan told People.com.

Bubbles has lived in the Florida sanctuary -- which is not open to the public -- since 2005. Jackson was supposed to visit, but never made the trip.

Did Jackson leave any money in his will for Bubbles' care? That’s not yet known. Currently, the chimp, who could live until the age of 60, survives on public donations. To learn more, click here.