Energetic balance in a hunting-gathering lifestyle : the observational study of controlled foraging trips in the African tropical rainforest

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To verify the possibility of hunting-gathering life in the African tropical rainforest and to reveal its energetic balance we designed the observational surveys of controlled foraging trips in southeastern Cameroon. Gaining the eight couples cooperators of the Baka hunter-gatherers, we had two two-week trips, during which no-agricultural or commercial food could be used, in the forest near villages in August 2009, the minor dry season, and in April 2010, the minor rainy season where wild yam tubers were said to be scarcer. In spite of sever environmental condition, almost all cooperators kept their health and body weight during the both trips with the exception of a few cooperators who caught a cold. As to energy expenditure we are analyzing the data from the heart rate monitoring system.