Are you saying that apes aren't aware of their own existence? That's just a stupid claim. It makes no sense. Of course animals are self-aware. What do you think they are, robots? They clearly have emotions, thoughts - an internal world like we do. Science has moved on from Descartes, you know.
I'm honestly concerned if anyone thinks animals are nothing more than automata; why have animal rights or animal welfare then? If they're not self-aware, they can't suffer which is obviously total nonsense. So that is worrying, if that's what you're trying to say.
Animals also are thought to have spiritual (mystical) experiences that aren't too unlike ours.
Animals (not just people) likely have spiritual experiences, according to a prominent neurologist who has analyzed the processes of spiritual sensation for over three decades.
www.nbcnews.com