Indonesian biologist cries tears of joy upon finding world's rarest flower Rafflesia after 13-year hunt

In a heartwarming moment caught on camera, an Indonesian conservationist wept tears of joy after he encountered an extremely rare species of flower, the Rafflesia, following a 13-year hunt for it.

Sumatra-based Septian "Deki" Andriki came across the plant with an expedition team in Sumatra after trekking "day and night" through tiger-haunted rainforests, according to the New York Post.

Chris Thorogood, an Associate Professor of Biology at Oxford University who was also on the expedition, called the moment "electric", resulting in the emotional moment.

The team even managed to witness the Rafflesia unfurl, which is considered extremely rare as it takes up to nine months for the bud to develop and only stays open for a few days.

The Rafflesia was named after founder of the British Colony of Singapore Stamford Raffles.

A parasitic plant, it is completely reliant on the presence of other plants, making it severely endangered due to habitat destruction.

It is noted for its overwhelming pungent stench, similar to rotting meat, which has given it the moniker "corpse flower".

The flower is considered both the largest and rarest in the world, being said to be "seen more by tigers than people", according to Oxford University.

Top images via Oxford University/Instagram