That a lot of us refuse to see ourselves as part of the animal kingdom is indication enough.
Let's also not forget our pompous assumption that only humans can make and use tools (debunked), only humans can feel emotions (debunked), and so on.
If something ferocious ever comes around to knock humanity down several pegs, it will be very deserved.
"Deserved" is a human concept. Pretty much all 'smart' animals (orcas, dolphins, bonobos, etc.) engage in extremely cruel behaviors towards other species or even to their kind. They are no better than us. We're the only ones who are having moral qualms over it (and we should).
Something as pea brained as a groundhog has calls to describe the shape, color, threat level, and individuality of any number of warning calls. Orcas literally have memes. I’m sure if dolphins could use the internet we’d get so much “dead fish on head” r/fashionadvice.