Bubbles was born in a biomedical laboratory, but pulled from his mother and sold to a Hollywood trainer while still an infant. He appeared in television shows and music videos before he “retired” at age five or six. He lived most of his life at the trainer’s compound in the company of an older chimpanzee, 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.

As a 180-pound young adult, Bubbles still lives with Sam (age 38) as well as five other chimpanzees at the sanctuary, Oopsie, Boma, Jessie, Kodua, and baby Stryker.  

Bubbles has a broad, handsome face and a lot of charisma. Though he is able to throw sand with amazing accuracy, he is extremely gentle with the youngsters, especially little Stryker. In fact, the baby can often be seen riding around on Bubbles’ back. 

Bubbles can be sensitive and dramatic. If he has any kind of cut or scratch on his body, no matter how small, he will show it many times during the day to his caregivers and ask for sympathy.

When Bubbles first arrived, he would not climb up to the top of his 35-foot tall habitat.  He appeared to be nervous about the height and would sit on the ground and stare up at the others in his group while they played high up in the cupola. One day after he had been here for about five months he suddenly climbed up to the top and gave a loud chimp call. Now it is one of his favorite places, and he goes to the top to play several times a day.