How do Hindus justify gods in the form of animals such as a monkey, cow, and elephant?

I don’t find any difference between any of these beliefs.

But my mother told me when I was young why Hindus worship animal and plant Gods.

When one of my Western friends once asked me, “ Why do Hindus worship Gods in Animal and Plant forms?” “It’s because,” I told my friend, “Hindus believe God is OMNIPRESENT i.e., present everywhere & in everything. There is no place where you can’t find God. All plants & animals are as important to them as human beings & sacred too”.

“Agreed,” says science! All living beings on this planet are equal & play important roles in the complex systems they live in. Treating their roles in the complex webs with respect & protecting them is a must for the very survival of mankind. Because when there are no plants & animals on this planet even man cannot survive on earth. (1)

I did a science-art work on this: SACRED LIFE

Art work credit: Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa

and https://www.kkartfromscience.com/popup/kk2.html

Although there are several plant & animal forms that are worshipped by Hindus, I chose only the important ones for my painting. My painting shows Ganesha, the God with an elephant head. Blue Jay is considered in some parts of India as incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Nagaraja is the snake worshipped all over India. Hanuman is the monkey God. Tulasi (Oscimum) is a sacred plant & cow is a sacred animal for Hindus. Lord Vishnu’s ten incarnations include Varahavatara (varaha=pig, avatara=incarnation), Narasimhavatara (nara=man, simha=lion)-God with lion head, Koormavatara (koorma=tortoise) & Matsyavatara (matsya=fish). All these plant & animal forms are worshipped by Hindus as they are considered sacred by them

The double helix of DNA represents life – which is central – surrounded by a ring of chromosomes- to show that life in all its forms is sacred. Bringing science, religion & art together for the cause of conservation is my main aim in painting this picture (1).

Well, when what my mother told me agreed with science, atleast partially, I used it for a cause and for science communication.

What is wrong with it? If it helps in the conservation process, science will be too happy to entertain it.

FOOTNOTES:

1. https://www.kkartfromscience.com/popup/kk2.html