He called police to his property in Dubbo, country NSW, on

A zookeeper who punched a kangaroo in the face to save his pet dog is holed up in his house fearing for his life after threats made by animal rights activists.

Greig Tonkins, from Dubbo in country New South Wales, became an internet sensation over the weekend when a video of him standing toe to toe with the marsupial as it attacked his dog went viral.

But Daily Mail Australia can reveal being the centre of international attention has come at a cost to the quiet father-of-two.

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Greig Tonkins, 34, punched a kangaroo to save his dog Max (Greig leaving for work pictured)

Greig Tonkins, the zookeeper who punched a kangaroo to save his pet dog, is holed up in his house fearing for his life after threats made by animal activists

The quiet father-of-two was forced to call police to his property in Dubbo, country NSW, on Wednesday morning after fearing animal rights activists were outside his home

Being the centre of international attention has come at a cost to the reserved country man

The 34-year-old - who is an elephant keeper at Taronga Western Plains Zoo (pictured) - has gone to ground in the days since the video exploded online, laying low at his rural home

The 34-year-old - who is an elephant keeper at Taronga Western Plains Zoo - has gone to ground in the days since the video exploded online, laying low at his rural home.

On Wednesday morning Mr Tonkins called police to his property after fearing animal rights activists were outside his home.

Mr Tonkins' decision to punch the roo to redirect it away from his dog while on a pig hunting trip in Condobolin, NSW, in mid-June has seen millions label him a 'hero'.

However the animal lover has been slammed by activists, who have called for him to lose his job at the zoo.

Mr Tonkins was publicly condemned online by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) - who described the act as 'neither funny nor brave' and 'illegal'.

'Pathetic excuse for a human being! Hope someone pays him back,' one woman wrote.

'Coward! This was totally unnecessary. The kangaroo released the dog. This guy is a pathetic coward that gets off on punching animals. He should be in prison!,' added one man.

'Greig Tonkin is VIOLENT RUTHLESS and an ANIMAL ABUSER. Children and elderly people are next to be hurt by Greig Tonkin,' another man posted.

On Wednesday morning Mr Tonkins called police to his property after fearing animal rights activists were outside his home (Greig leaving for work pictured)

The 34-year-old has gone to ground in the days since the video exploded online, laying low at his family home

Social media was flooded with threats directed towards the man, with many activists calling for him to be charged for animal cruelty

Mr Tonkins' decision to punch the roo to redirect it away from his dog while on a pig hunting trip earlier this year has seen millions label him a 'hero'

The father-of-two had gone on the hunting trip in an effort to help his sick friend Kailem Barwick catch a 'tonner' – a wild bore that weighs more than 100 kilograms.

A videographer joined the group to record the special trip for Kailem, who has since passed away, and ended up recording the moment that has now gone viral.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, one of the men on the trip backed Mr Tonkins' actions, saying the punch was only thrown to protect the dog and prevent the roo attacking anyone else.

'The dog wanted no part of it, all it was trying to do was escape from the roo and that's why he stepped in,' the man said.

'There's people on social media saying, "I know men like that, I bet they killed it afterwards", but that's just ridiculous.

'He only threw the punch to redirect the animal and afterwards there were a few nervous and relieved laughs, and then we just went on with getting Kailem a tonner.'

The trip ultimately proved successful, with the group ensuring the young man managed to kill his 'tonner'.

Sadly Kailem passed away last week after a long cancer battle, with his funeral to be held on Thursday.

He was able to marry his partner Brandi-Lee in a touching hospital bedside service two days before his death

Greig Tonkins (centre) was on a boar hunting trip in an effort to help his sick friend Kailem catch a wild bore when the kangaroo-punching incident happend

Sadly Kailem passed away last week after a long cancer battle. He was able to marry his partner Brandi-Lee in a touching hospital bedside service two days before his death

Mr Tonkins was publicly condemned online by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) - who described the act as 'neither funny nor brave' and 'illegal'

The fellow hunter said he was dumbfounded by the reaction and left wondering why some were happy for the dog to be injured but not the kangaroo.

'The video went viral in America and there was not one bad comment, and then it goes crazy in Australia and there's a whole bunch of outrage,' he said.

'It made me sick to be part of this country when people were wishing this family man and dog died, when the kangaroo wasn't even hurt.'

Daily Mail Australia can also reveal Mr Tonkins is a committee member of the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association.

In October, Max - the same specially trained dog that was attacked by the roo - won a high jumping competition at the organisation's AGM, with the performance captured on video.

Millions of people across the world have viewed the video since it was posted to Facebook.

Greig Tonkins is an elephant keeper at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo

Taronga Zoo announced Mr Tonkins would not be sacked in a statement on Tuesday

Mr Tonkins (pictured far right) is a committee member of the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association, and in October his dog 'Max' won a high jumping competition at the organisations AGM

In addition to threats for his own safety, Mr Tonkins' job as a zookeeper at Taronga also came under fire as a result of the viral video.

After an internal investigation, the zoo announced on Tuesday that he would not lose his job, adding that they would continue to work with him on his conduct in regards to the incident.

'Following the events of the last 48 hours in which Greig Tonkins … was seen on social media punching a kangaroo in attempt to free his dog from its hold, Taronga has been inundated with concern for Mr Tonkins as well as enquiries regarding Taronga's position on the events,' the zoo said in a statement.

'Best practice animal welfare and the protection of Australian wildlife are of the utmost importance to Taronga.

'Taronga strongly opposes the striking of animals and does not support the practice of using dogs to hunt, as this can result in negative welfare for both species.

'Mr Tonkins is an experienced Zoo keeper and during his six years at Taronga Western Plains Zoo has always followed Taronga's best practice approach to animal care and welfare. We confirm that there is no suggestion of Mr Tonkins' employment at Taronga Western Plains Zoo ending as a result of this event.

'However, the highest standards of animal welfare and care are a core value of Taronga and one that we expect our staff to uphold in all their interactions with wildlife and we continue to work with Mr Tonkins on his conduct in regards to this incident.'