It's almost as if they're saying that their empathy towards their animals gives them moral latitude in killing them. Is this what White was trying to express?

It's almost as if they're saying that their empathy towards their animals gives them moral latitude in killing them. Is this what White was trying to express? No. I don't think that is what White is trying to express. I think it is the wonder that we actually care so much about these animals even when they are clearly (in the opinion of most humans) lesser than us. As for why we are allowed to kill and eat animals this needs no extra justification as is governed by the same rules that allow eagles, hyeanas, lions and wolves to kill and eat.