Pretty much what SB said. In biology, if the niche is open, something will adapt to fill it. The niche was open.
I would revisit LCB's initial question. My perception is different ... it's us humans that are the weirdos in the equation, the animal that doesn't fit with the others. Based on other animals, bigfoot is somewhat predictable by extrapolations, **we** are much less so.
MIB
There is only one reason why it should it exist in our wilderness. That is that the habitat is there for it to exist and survive in our wilderness no matter where it might find itself in this giant world. It lives because it wants too. Just like we do it does too.
"most serious investigators would contend that the science starts once you have a question, followed by observation, and the accumulation of data. Each of these detractions begs the question of evidentiary substance that motivates investigation, and instead either off-handedly dismisses all evidence, or demands conclusive proof up front, a priori. That is hardly the method or process of explorative science."
-Dr. Jeffrey Meldrum-