Dinosaur museum vandalised, another blow in difficult year

One of the dinosaurs and arms discovered on Gold Creek golf course. Picture: Supplied

The National Dinosaur Museum has been dealt another blow in a difficult year, after vandals damaged or removed six dinosaur statues overnight.

Before arriving at the museum on Monday morning, its owners were contacted by the Gold Creek Golf Club to notify them one small stegosaurus, a statue, and three dinosaur arms had been found on the golf course.

On arrival at the museum, they discovered another dinosaur had a partially severed arm.

It's not the first time the museum has been targeted by vandals, and staff supervisor Brittany Burgess said the museum's "dinosaur surgeon" had experience in limb re-attachment that would be done without creating a significant cost to the venue.

"It was quite the shock this morning," Ms Burgess said.

"They're fibreglass dinosaurs, the arms are all on the raptors so they are quite short, you would need a saw. It's a bit messy but hopefully we'll be able to attach the arms we got back."

One of the dinosaurs had a partially severed arm. Picture: Supplied

Ms Burgess said the vandalism was particularly disheartening to have to deal with at the end of a difficult year for the museum, which like many businesses has faced a downturn due to COVID-19.

As well as dealing with damaged dinosaurs, the museum's owners were on Monday fielding calls from Sydneysiders cancelling their bookings due to COVID-19 restrictions. In the first two and a half hours they were open on Monday more than 50 people had called to cancel their tours and get refunds.

One of the damaged dinosaurs at the National Dinosaur Museum. Picture: Supplied

"It's been a difficult morning for us," Ms Burgess said.

"It's made us both cranky and quite upset."

Ms Burgess said the museum would check CCTV and contact police after dealing with all the cancelled bookings.

"2020 has not been easy for any business and thoughtless actions like this really top off our year," a post on the museum's Facebook page said.

"At least we have found all the torn off limbs and stolen dinosaurs so will have them looking better than ever ASAP".

Ms Burgess said the museum had great support from the local Canberra community and would be open every day except Christmas, particularly for families that may have had to cancel interstate plans due to travel restrictions.

"We really appreciate the support from Canberrans today, with dealing with these problems."