What was the animal of 2004?

There is no official designation for an "animal of the year". There are, however, some organizations that choose an animal for specific reasons:

* Animal of the Year Award by the American Veterinary Medical Association: This award, given since 1975, recognizes an animal that has made a significant contribution to society, such as a guide dog or a therapy animal. However, there is no record of an animal receiving the award in 2004.

* IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) "Species of the Year": This designation is for a species that faces significant threats to its survival. While the IUCN may choose species with urgency, they don't always announce a species for a specific year.

Therefore, there is no specific "animal of 2004". If you are interested in a specific animal, you might be able to find information about its significance for that year, such as:

* News stories: Look for news articles related to a particular animal or species in 2004.

* Conservation efforts: Check if any conservation organizations focused on a specific animal in 2004.

* Scientific research: Look for scientific publications or studies about an animal that were published in 2004.

Let me know if you have any specific animal in mind, and I might be able to find more information!