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[Benjamin Bayliss <ctrkgrendel AT yahoo.com>]

Just to correct a bit of misinformation in the article: Bubbles is in an approved sanctuary in Wachula, Florida.

 

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/showbiz/tm_objectid=16862075%26method=full%26siteid=94762-name_page.html

25 March 2006
JACKO EXCLUSIVE: FOR SALE - JACKO'S MENAGERIE
Ryan Parry Us Correspondent In New York
HARD-UP Michael Jackson is desperately trying to raise cash by selling animals from his run-down Neverland zoo at bargain prices.
The shamed pop star - said to be £150million in debt - has been ringing round Hollywood frantically trying to offload his neglected collection of tigers, elephants, orangutans and giraffes.
An insider said: "Michael's fortune is nothing like it used to be.
"He's desperate for cash and is offering the animals for a fraction of what they're really worth. He needs money fast."
The source

said Jacko even approached "V for Vendetta" producer Joel Silva, offering him two giraffes for £6,250. They would normally fetch around £25,000 each. Jacko is advertising his £15,000 tigers at £3,750 - and two £35,000 elephants for just £9,000 each.
The 47-year-old singer also has a £5,000 crocodile on sale for a snip, or rather a snap, at £1,250. A camel, alpaca and a number of llamas have already been repossessed.
But Jacko still has a group of £10,000-a-head orangutans which he's trying to flog at a quarter of their true value.
The star, who has been living in Bahrain since being acquitted on child sex abuse charges in June 2005, was ordered to close down his Neverland ranch last week after failing to pay staff or renew insurance policies.
Labour officials in California
 shut down the 2,800-acre estate and fined Jackson £99,400 - further adding to his financial troubles. The animals are currently being looked after by state officials.
But last night welfare groups called for them to be farmed out to charitable organisations.
Jackson bought Neverland - in the rolling hills of Santa Barbara County - for a reported £11.3million in 1987.
One of the zoo's previous inhabitants, Bubbles the chimp, became his most famous companion and moved into the main house with him.
But he wore out his welcome and is now said to be living at a sanctuary in Sylmar, California.
In 1991, Jackson's close friend and confidante, actress Elizabeth Taylor - who donated an elephant to the Neverland menagerie - married seventh husband Larry Fortensky at the ranch.
Children were frequently invited to the zoo, including child star Macaulay Culkin and others selected by charities with which Jackson was involved.
One wide-eyed youngster gasped:
 "It's fantastic. Just like Disneyland - but you've got it all to yourself."
mirrornews AT mgn.co.uk

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