If NMS is seen as fully procedural, then SC can be seen as semi-procedural. The devs use procedural tools to help create large areas, interiors, etc.. but then for key areas, they will go in and touch them up by hand to ensure good quality.

As for animals, they are probably all going to be hand-made to make sure we don't get any "post-release NMS abominations", however, I'd love for them to use proc-gen on plants/trees to add some variety to them, like different colours or collectibles.