Nepal's royal family is accused of stealing from wildlife fund

Nepal's royal family – facing the end of centuries of rule after imminent elections – has been accused of stealing money that was set aside to safeguard the country's threatened wildlife.

A investigation carried out by Maoists who wish to see the royal family abolished has concluded that money set aside for the National Trust for Nature Conservation was used by the family for its own interests. On one occasion, Crown Prince Paras even allegedly gave a pair of rare rhinos to a zoo in Austria while on a private visit.

Until last year the trust was named in honour of former King Mahendra, and was chaired by Prince Paras. His father, King Gyanendra, was the patron. But the committee concluded huge amounts of the trust's money was spent by the royal family on trips overseas, lavish parties and health check-ups for Queen Komal at private clinics in Britain.

The report by the royal family's political enemies comes just two weeks before elections that are expected to end the royal family's influence in Nepali politics. The elections, which are the first for nine years, will select a national assembly that will draw up a constitution to abolish the 240-year-old Hindu monarchy.

Their popularity has fallen drastically since King Gyanendra's accession to the throne, which came after the royal massacre of 2001. Two years ago, he perhaps committed his most unpopular act by firing the prime minister and seeking to rule by royal diktat.

A peace agreement with Maoists who fought against the government for years has now emboldened them to push their demand for an end to the monarchy. Aside from the future of the royal family, the investigation by the Maoists who now control the conservation fund could undermine efforts to protect Nepal's wildlife.

A recent report in a Nepali newspaper claimed foreign donors to the fund were threatening to withdraw their support because of the alleged corruption.