'Orang Asli Animal Tales' keeps Malaysian naturalist's legacy alive

The late Dr Lim in his study autographing a copy of his book 'Orang Asli Animal Tales', which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year. Photo: Colin Nicholas/COAC

Why does the shy slow loris only go out under the cover of night? Why does the siamang monkey keep shouting all day long? And why are the mongoose and the cobra enemies?

Charming answers to all these questions can be found in the form of Orang Asli folk tales. All of which are contained in the classic book Orang Asli Animal Tales, written by the late Dr Lim Boo Liat, one of the pioneers in the field of zoology in Malaysia, who died at the age of 94 on July 11 this year.