La Table des Voyageurs with primatologist Shelly Masi

Join La Table des Voyageurs for a rare conversation with primatologist Shelly Masi. Over lunch, she’ll share insights from 25 years observing Western gorillas in Central Africa, unravelling their behaviours, cognitive abilities, and the role of females in shaping group decisions.

From her early fieldwork at 23 to her groundbreaking research challenging male-dominated hierarchies, Masi blends science with conservation urgency, as gorillas face growing threats from poaching and habitat loss.

Moderated by journalist Caroline Chapeaux, this lunch discussion will dive into the realities of long-term research in the gorillas’ natural habitat, the balance between work and life in the field, and what studying primates teaches us about our own world.

Don’t miss this chance to engage directly with one of today’s leading primatologists, and take home a signed copy of her book, 'Queen Kong' (Albin Michel, 2025).