Standing across from a life-size representation of Knut Schmidt-Nielsen, a renowned Duke zoology professor, is the camel sculpture, a towering figure at eight feet tall and weighing four thousand pounds. Captured in a moment of silent interaction, the two figures gaze at each other with an air of inquisitiveness, sharing a wordless understanding. Schmidt-Nielsen's posture embodies the curiosity not only of the professor but also of the scientific community as a whole. Having joined Duke University's faculty in 1952, Schmidt-Nielsen studied how camels conserve water. Through his research, including a year-long expedition to the Sahara Desert, he discovered the actual water conservation physiology of the camel, debunking the common belief that water resides in their humps. This compelling sculpture, crafted by Jonathan Kingdon and dedicated on April 6, 1995, serves as a testament to Schmidt-Nielsen's groundbreaking contributions to zoology and his enduring legacy in scientific inquiry.

“The Scientist and Nature” - by British sculptor Jonathan Kingdon, who finished the bronze camel statue in 1993. The inscription for the statue, “Tell me about yourself, Camel, that I may know myself.”