they’re eating an animal product. so, by the most basic definition of “exploit” which is as a synonym of “use”, yes.

gorillas are not vegan. they eat their butt cookies (an animal product), and they eat bugs. but besides that, veganism is an ethical stance, and there is no proof they have ever considered the ethics of animal exploitation.

if being vegan actual changed the animal ag industry and stopped it from growing, you might be right. it doesn’t, though.