Wanganui's Bushy Park Sanctuary needs paid full-time staff, its trust chairwoman Liz Tennet says.
In November, rats were found inside the predator fence erected to protect endangered birds in the 100ha forest sanctuary. The trust mobilised volunteers to help get rid of them.
Ms Tennet went to Horizons Regional Council for funding last Tuesday. She wanted a total of $81,800 to employ a full-time staff member or contractors.
A similar conservation trust in Taranaki had three full-time staff. "Rotokare is funded through district and regional councils, and it also got oil money.
"We are actually further advanced. We've had the fence for eight years and we've got no paid staff. We think we're the only sanctuary in New Zealand with no paid staff, and it just can't continue."