Those "scientists" need to get out and actually meet an animal sometime. The author might consider dropping the arrogance of assigning emotions exclusively to humans too. Neither POV is anywhere near the universe of reality.
They look sad to me. I think animals know about death. When Lilac the old cat was dying my dogs would go to where she was laying & check on her. When we took her to get the shot & she didn’t come back for days they went to her bed & looked for her. I still look around & wonder where she is.