See photos of the repair of "Bronto", the vandalized dinosaur at The Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Photos by staff photojournalist John Rottet.

The old dinosaur that lost its head this week received a great outpouring of sympathy from all around the town. Next Thursday, good Bull Citizens have the chance to put their bodies where their sentiments are — to the extent, at least, of attending a meeting.

All interested parties are invited to a meeting on the dinosaur's future at 7 p.m., in the Friendly City Civitan Clubhouse, 2510 Glendale Ave. The meeting is sponsored by the Northgate Park Neighborhood Association.

Museum of Life and Science spokeswoman Taneka Bennett told Bulls Eye today that the stolen head has been taken to a safe and secure location pending a decision what to do next.

Restoration, she said, is "certainly" an option on the table. 

Durham Police have found the dinosaur head missing since Sunday night. It's damaged some, but back home at the Museum of Life and Science.

Police Capt. Larry C. Smith announced early this afternoon that the head had been located and that police had "identified those involved." Names have not been released, though.

Vandalism of the brontosaurus statue, which has stood at the museum beside Ellerbe Creek since 1967, was apparently a "prank," according to police spokeswoman Kammie Michael.

Museum spokeswoman Taneka Bennett said the staff will be meeting soon "to see if it can or cannot be restored."

About three years ago, some residents of the nearby Northgate Park neighborhood contacted the museum about restoring the then-intact statue, which for years symbolized the museum and had become a Durham landmark.

The museum was receptive, but put off further discussion until after its new Dinosaur Trail opens this summer. The subject quickly came back up this week as Durham residents expressed sadness and anger via neighborhood email lists.

Northgate Park resident Page McCullough said this afternoon that the neighborhood association will be talking with the museum "about what the possibilities are."