I’d side with your analysis. I don’t believe any creatures are sentient and able to symbolize themselves or their environment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbL_W48YhtM
Monkey who paints wows Canada
Elephants seem to have more talent that monkeys.
Elephants appear to be sentient, or sensitive, creatures. They exhibit close bonds with the other elephants in their herd. They celebrate when one of their family returns after an absence, they rejoice when a baby is born and they grieve when a member of their elephant family dies.
Read more: Are elephants sentient? | Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2217349#ixzz2tS0HKKcj