I've only ever played SSX Tricky, though I did very much enjoy it, and the comic makes sense to me nonetheless. And clearly if a dino-clone had the ability to glide it would be in a squirrel form, not, for example, some weird pterodactyl form.
I don't think anyone said specifically that he was dead, just that we should have a moment for the late deliciousaurus. Maybe we were having a meeting with him and he showed up late. I think someone has a guilty conscience!