Mon Sep 30 03:02:00 UTC 2024: ## Sabah’s Rarest Rafflesia Found in New Locations

**KOTA KINABALU** – The Sabah Forestry Department has announced the discovery of Sabah’s rarest Rafflesia species, *Rafflesia tengku-adlinii*, in two new locations within the state. The rare flower was found in Bukit Monkobo and Bukit Mentapok Forest Reserve during a recent Heart of Borneo (HoB) scientific expedition in mid-August.

Previously, this species, named after renowned conservationist Datuk Dr Tengku D. Z. Adlin, was only found in the Trus Madi Range and Maliau Basin Conservation Area. The *Rafflesia tengku-adlinii* is distinctive for its small size (20.5-23.2 cm in diameter) and homogeneous orange-coloured petals with roundish orange warts.

The discovery was made by a research team from the Sabah Forestry Department Forest Research Centre, in collaboration with the Beluran District Forestry Office and TSH Resources Berhad. The team was led by John Sugau, Dr Reuben Nilus, and Razy Japir.

Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan, emphasized the significance of this finding for the protection and conservation of the Bukit Monkobo and Bukit Mentapok Forest Reserve. He highlighted that the 5,443 ha reserve, re-gazetted as a Class I Forest Reserve (Protection) in 2015, is almost entirely enclosed by Ulu Tungud Forest Reserve, which is licensed to TSH Resources Berhad.

This latest discovery underscores the rich biodiversity of Sabah and the importance of ongoing conservation efforts in protecting these unique and threatened species.

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