Dr Safi Darden
Principle Investigator (Project Lead)
Dr Safi Darden is a behavioral ecologist and is a Senior Lecturer in the Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour at the University of Exeter (UK), with extensive experience studying animal behavior, including several species of foxes. Her research focuses on social behavior, communication, and decision-making in animals. She has contributed to understanding how social interactions shape individual behaviors and influence population dynamics, often using field studies and observational techniques to gather data.
Safi did her PhD and MSc on swift foxes (Vulpes velox) in Alberta, Canada and in Cololardo, USA, where she explored various aspects of fox ecology and social structure, including how they communicate, establish territories, and adapt to changing environments. Her work often involves close observation of foxes in their natural habitats, examining their responses to social and ecological pressures. This research provides insights into the cognitive abilities of foxes and their remarkable adaptability. Through her research, she has helped to illuminate the ways in which foxes interact with their surroundings and each other, offering broader implications for wildlife conservation and management.
Safi founded the Island Red Fox Project in 2024 as a new long-term research program working with the local community to better understand red fox behavior, cognition, and how their environment and interactions with humans influence their behavior and survival.
To learn more about Safi and her Research, please visit her academic profile at the University of Exeter or explore her research publications on Google Scholar.
