Rare Indonesian flower "rediscovered" | DW News

Key Concepts

• Raflesia Hasseli
• Indonesian conservation
• Capacity building
• Scientific collaboration
• Local conservation heroes

Discovery of Raflesia Hasseli and Initial Reaction

The video details the emotional discovery of the Raflesia Hasseli flower by Indonesian conservationist Septian Andrii, who had been searching for it for 13 years. This rare flower is more commonly encountered by tigers than humans. The discovery was made after hours of trekking through rainforests on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, inhabited by tigers. The scientific expedition was funded by Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (Brin) and Oxford University.

Online Controversy and Oxford's Response

Following the discovery, online reactions focused on the perceived lack of credit given to the Indonesian team by Oxford University. When approached for comment, Oxford University highlighted the spirit of collaboration in their partnerships, which have been ongoing since 2022. They emphasized that a key objective of these collaborations is capacity building and supporting local conservation heroes. Oxford stated that the visit to the Raflesia Hasseli site was conducted within this collaborative framework and expressed gratitude to Septian Dicki Andrii for his fieldwork alongside Chris Thorogood and their local guide.

Core Message: Conservation of Rare Flowers

Septian Andrii's primary concern is that the crucial message of conserving these rare flowers should not be overshadowed by the online controversy. He advocates for continued publication and dissemination of research related to these conservation efforts.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The discovery of the Raflesia Hasseli by Septian Andrii represents a significant achievement in Indonesian conservation, made possible through a collaborative effort involving Indonesian institutions and Oxford University. While an online debate arose regarding credit attribution, Oxford University has clarified its commitment to a spirit of partnership focused on capacity building and empowering local conservationists. The ultimate takeaway emphasized by Andrii is the paramount importance of continuing conservation efforts and sharing knowledge about these endangered species.