It's the animal of the Chinese year beginning in 2008
[DOC] [TLE] Chinese Zodiac, 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals, Find Your Zodiac Signs [PAR] Chinese Zodiac Signs, The Chinese animal zodiac, or sheng xiao in pinyin, is a 
... with each year being represented by an animal and its reputed attributes, 
check ... Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960; Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961 ... 
and astrology, people believe 'Start of Spring' is the beginning of the zodiac year.