Esmeralda is Captain Nemo's pet sea lion in the 1954 film adaptation of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. In the film, Esmeralda and Nemo's companions witness the explosion of Vulcania while aboard the Nautilus's skiff. One reviewer praised Esmeralda as funny and well trained.
Obviously, don't nominate any human characters. Hybrids like Cheetah or The Lizard are okay, as are shapeshifters with one set animal form (eg Professor McGonagall.)
