Mr Nguyen’s legal representative has claimed that the case was a ‘misconstruing’ due to the fact that the team were told by the zoo owner’s mother that they were permitted to enter the premises to feed the animals.

Mr Nguyen originally said that he had spoken to the zoo’s proprietor and also was told that they couldn’t afford to feed the animals – an insurance claim that has because been rubbished by the proprietor, who told a local newspaper that ‘the animals were not left to deprive’.

This led to Phuket wild animals authorities doing an examination where they found ‘the zoo has enough food to feed the pets,’ adding that the pets were in ‘ideal problem’.

Mr Nguyen’s lawyer has claimed that the incident was a ‘misunderstanding’ because the group were told by the zoo owner’s mother that they were allowed to enter the premises to feed the animals.

Mr Nguyen said: “When we did get charged and arrested, the older brother and mother (of the owner) came down to be witnesses for us.

“There is a bit of a divide among the shareholders as to how the zoo should run. I’ll be going to court on May 25. That’s when I will know if they want to make a case of it or not, but I doubt they will… I just want to help the animals.”

Mr Nguyen has been sharing videos on his YouTube channel and Instagram ever since he first stumbled across Phuket Zoo. After setting up the fundraising page, he wanted to continue to show those who had donated what their money was going towards.

But, speaking to Daily Mail Australia, he said it turned out his good intentions only resulted in the police knocking on his door because the zoo owner had become aware of the videos that were being posted.

Mr Nguyen initially said that he had spoken to the zoo’s owner and was told that they couldn’t afford to feed the animals – a claim that has since been rubbished by the owner, who told a local newspaper that ‘the animals were not left to starve’.

This led to Phuket wildlife authorities doing an inspection where they found ‘the zoo has enough food to feed the animals,’ adding that the animals were in ‘perfect condition’.

On the GoFundMe page, Mr Nguyen made it clear that he didn’t want to create hostility towards the zoo’s owners or ‘point any fingers about who did what’.

The page goes on to explain: “Our purpose and end goal is to save the animals and have them rehabilitated/rescued safely. Please help in any way you can. All proceeds will go towards saving and rescuing these animals.”

TheRedNow has contacted the zoo for comment.