There are a lot of obstacles in the way of our understanding animal intelligence - not the least being that we can't even agree whether nonhuman species are conscious. We accept that chimps and dolphins experience awareness we like to think dogs and cats do. But what about mice and newts? What about a fly? Is anything going on there at all?
If seeds of good humanity and good culture are sown, the reward of a rich harvest can be reaped by generation to come. education means such sowing, such implementing.