West Sumatra: A team of UK and Indonesian scientists have found a rare Rafflesia hasseltii in a rainforest in West Sumatra. Indonesian botanist Septian Andriki and University of Oxford Botanic Garden deputy director Chris Thorogood trekked through dense rainforest in Indonesia for almost a day in search of the rare flora, which has not been seen in the wild for more than a decade.
According to BBC, Mr. Andriki broke down in tears upon their discovery, telling the BBC that it had been "13 years of waiting." The joint effort highlights the dedication and perseverance of researchers in the face of long odds, as they strive to uncover and document rare species in their natural habitats.