Extract from ABC News
Deep in the dense Sumatran rainforest, Indonesian conservationist Septian Andriki is hunched over and crying uncontrollably after a rare discovery.
Just metres away sits an extraordinary and otherworldly parasitic plant in bloom. It's scientific name is Rafflesia hasseltii.
"When I saw her start blooming, I just broke down," said Mr Andriki, who prefers to be called Deki.
"The ranger thought I was possessed."
He was part of a team of researchers that had trekked for almost a full day through the thick jungle in search of the plant after a tip off from a local ranger.
Deki is a keen conservationist dedicated to finding rare plants. (Supplied: Chris Thorogood)
"After 13 years, a 23-hour journey, risking tiger attacks, nearly dead phone batteries, I couldn't talk. I just cried," Deki said.
University of Oxford Botanic Garden deputy director Chris Thorogood filmed the moment and the footage quickly went viral.
The plant had not been seen in the wild by human eyes in more than a decade.
The rarest of species
There are dozens of species of Rafflesia — otherwise known as stinking corpse lily — in the world.
Its flowers grow up to one metre in width and can weigh more than 6 kilograms.
Rafflesia hasseltii is one of the rarest of the species.
Conservationists looked on in awe as the flower bloomed before their eyes. (Supplied: Chris Thorogood)
"Hardly anyone has seen it, and to my mind it's the most beautiful," Dr Thorogood said.
"It's kind of white with these big red spots and the reverse of that on the petals — it's just crazy."
Deki, who has dedicated much of his life to conservation and finding rare flowers, started working with Dr Thorogood during the pandemic.
The pair found several species of Rafflesia in 2021 while on a research expedition in the Sumatran rainforest.
But the Rafflesia hasseltii eluded them.
A surprise discovery
Earlier this year a ranger in West Sumatra sent them a photo of the plant in its early stages.
"The buds of this flower take several months, up to nine months to mature," Dr Thorogood said.
"When the flower opens it only stays open for a few days, so the chances of having this encounter are so unlikely."
Ranger Iswandi and Dr Thorogood trekked for 23 hours to find the rare plant. (Supplied: Chris Thorogood)
The location of the plant was not only tricky to get to but was in "a place where tigers and rhinos live", Dr Thorogood said.
"I imagine more tigers have seen this flower than people," he added.
Deki and Dr Thorogood obtained a special permit to search the area and then set out with ranger Iswandi into the dangerous rainforest.
They found the plant 23 hours later, but it was not yet in bloom.
"I felt so down, we'd travelled so far and so long," Deki said.
Night had almost fallen and Iswandi warned them that the area was a known Sumatran tiger habitat.
But Deki did not want to give up after coming all that way.
"I came closer to the flower and I said, 'We need an hour here to wait,'" he said.
And so they did — wary of possible animal attacks, but hopeful of capturing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
'Magical' moment watching a rare flower bloom
It was not long before the plant began blooming under the moonlight.
"It's beyond compare," Dr Thorogood said.
"We sat there and watched the flower open in front of our very eyes.
"It was just an absolutely magical experience and one that will remain living in my memory for the rest of my life."
Researchers say hardly anyone has seen the flower. (Supplied: Chris Thorogood)
Deki likened the experience to the birth of his child.
"The life cycle of the Rafflesia is nine months long, like a baby in the womb," he said.
"The feeling of seeing it was like seeing my first child."
The Rafflesia hasseltii is one of the rarest of the species in the world. (Supplied: Chris Thorogood)
A post about the flower was shared by the University of Oxford but it has generated some criticism among some users, who were furious that it did not name the Indonesian conservationists and guides involved.
"This post lacks recognition for Indonesian collaborators," a note under the post reads.
The University of Oxford told the ABC it was "delighted" to be working with Indonesian colleagues.
"These partnerships have been ongoing since 2022, a key aim being capacity building, and supporting local conservation heroes," a university spokesperson said.
"Visiting the site of Rafflesia hasseltii was carried out in this context, and we are very grateful to Septian (Deki) Andriki who joined Chris Thorogood in the field, and their local guide, Iswandi."
'We need to promote sustainable ecotourism'
Deki hopes that future generations will be able to enjoy the Sumatran rainforest as much as he does.
"I hope one day our children and grandchildren can come and see this forest and its diversity," he said.
"For this we need to promote sustainable ecotourism."
Indonesia is the world's largest producer of palm oil and the expansion of plantations in Sumatra has been threatening rainforests.
"The worst thing would be if they turn this forest into a palm oil plantation," Deki said.
Dr Thorogood said it was thanks to the work of people like Deki and Iswandi, that people understood more about the Sumatran rainforests, which increased the drive to conserve them.
"Thanks to these custodians and stewards of their biodiversity, there is hope," Dr Thorogood said.
"While there are still thriving rainforests like this one I've been in, there are people like this who want to protect them."
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