Encinitas Chooses Official City Mammal

“In recognition of our longstanding friendship with our sister city Bitung, Sulawesi, Indonesia,” said Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear, “I am pleased to announce that the council has chosen the crested black macaque as our city’s official mammal.

“We considered several candidates, and the choice was not quick and easy,” said Blakespear. “After careful deliberation and much discussion, the council unanimously chose the macaque. It’s a critically endangered Old World monkey that’s also known as the Celebes crested macaque. But most Sulawesi locals call it yaki.

“The yaki is remarkably human-like,” said Blakespear. “An adult is about the size of a two- or three-year-old human child. I think those facts swayed some council members in their choice.

“Over the years, California has chosen several plants and animals as the official state species,” said Blakespear. “The council thought it fitting that Encinitas should honor that tradition. We are proud to have chosen the crested black macaque as the city’s official mammal.”