He Could Never Hurt an Animal — Elizabeth Taylor Counters Claims Michael Jackson Treated Neverland Creatures Poorly
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
The Neverland Ranch — a sprawling private estate that once featured giraffes, big cats, and the famously beloved chimpanzee Bubbles — has again become the subject of public dispute. Some critics have argued that Michael Jackson kept exotic species merely as decoration and that their habitats were created as surface-level public relations rather than responsible care.
Among the voices pushing back was Elizabeth Taylor, one of Jackson’s closest friends. She rejected the suggestion that the animals were misused as props and said the emotional investment was genuine. According to Taylor, Jackson cried when Bubbles became ill and took steps to ensure the animals had qualified care, including establishing veterinary capacity on the ranch.
The claims about Neverland have long existed in contrast: on one hand, outside allegations of inadequate environments; on the other, documented evidence of on-site treatment, veterinary staffing, and long-term personal bonds with specific animals. Taylor cited concrete examples — tigers, leopards, and the elephant Gypsy — as individuals Jackson treated as companions rather than spectacle.
Although activist complaints brought official attention toward Neverland through the years, federal investigators said they did not uncover violations of the applicable animal welfare law during their 2006 inspection that followed one of those complaints. Later in Jackson’s life, as his finances tightened, several of the animals were transferred to sanctuaries or other licensed facilities where they could receive lifelong care tailored to their species.
Taylor’s central position was that Jackson’s affection for animals was authentic, grounded in personal emotional connection rather than novelty. That perspective remains part of the record — a reminder that Neverland was not only a residence, but also a space where Jackson attempted, within his means, to construct a living environment for the animals he cherished.
