Is man the only religious animal?

Friday 17.  September  “Is man the only religious animal?”

Is religion a privilege reserved for man? If so, what are the cognitive or genetic foundations for this monopoly? Language, emotions, self awareness, intelligence and social structure are all traits that in varying degrees are present amongst certain other animals, but do they lack a divine spark? What of past hominids, who mastered fire and created tools, or Neanderthals with brains as large as, or larger than our own? Is it possible that religion have played an important part in the success of Homo Sapiens at the cost of other species? What do the various religious traditions have to say of the relationship between animals, God and man?