Kota Kinabalu: A total of 83 species of orchids are thriving within the polluted area of the abandoned Mamut mine in Ranau.
A two-week study conducted by Universiti Putra Malaysia in September 2022 noted 25 new species in four sites.
Sabah Parks Ranau Board of Trustee, Hamelda Francisca Majit, said two of them are endemic to (can only be found in) Sabah.
She said the most attractive and rare yet fragile helmet orchid could also be found in Mamut along with three other varieties that give off a sweet and musky fragrance.
