This thinking is another indicator of a change in human assumptions about animal consciousness -- from uncaring reductionism to reflective respect. This is not new. In 1966, Conrad Lorenz made much the same point in On Agression, but noted that humans are the only animals whose moral principles against violence are so often breached in the form of murder and war.

they didn't have to do all that research. they could have just asked me. theres no doubt animals have morals, a concience, feel bad when they have done a bad thing, feel good when they do good. no doubt about it. When our dog feels she's been neglected (petting the cat too much) she will turn away, face the wall and sulk. It's obvious she's having a sad emotion. Or would that be jealousy? Is jealousy an emmotion? Either way it's kinda cute.

If true, it refutes all the arguments that claim that there is no morality without religion.

Excellent point. But if animals can tell right from wrong, they could have a sense of the sacred.