It claims to be the beef capital of Australia and Rockhampton's enthusiasm for the animals even extends to statues of bulls dotted around the city.

But the masculinity of the beasts has been the matter of some animated discussion.

Central Queensland University's student union president, Brendan Kirkman, says the statues have proven irresistible to pranksters.

"It seems to be a bit of an ongoing trend in Rockhampton that the bulls will lose some of their pieces - the bulls' balls," he said.

"It's the long-running joke that they be collected or removed."

Mr Kirkman concedes the quest is "a little strange", but puts it down to things that sometimes happen at university.

"I'm certainly not going to incriminate myself or anybody else, but they were taken as a bit of trophy," he said.

Tradesman Chris Murphy, who has been repairing Rockhampton's bull statues for more than a decade, takes it more seriously.

"It's of absolute importance because of the number of beef people that are coming through the town," he said.

"We don't want to be looked at as a joke and I think keeping the bulls in good shape and well painted and dressed up is what we owe the beef industry here in Rockhampton."

Rockhampton's Mayor Brad Carter agrees.

"These are lifelike statues representing the beef industry and they should represent an entire animal, not just an animal that's been defaced, so it is important we keep them intact," he said.

But Councillor Carter says it has made Rockhampton more notable.

"I think it shows a bit of the light-hearted nature of our community, that we do enjoy a joke, we do look on the lighter side of life," he said.

"I think it's just a great testament to the fact that our history and heritage of this region has been developed around the beef industry."