“Salties”: 60 Minutes Investigates Australia’s Fearsome and Protected Predator

The third segment of the January 18, 2026, 60 Minutes broadcast delivers a striking look into one of Australia’s most fearsome and protected creatures—the saltwater crocodile. In a report filed by CBS News’ Holly Williams, the program ventures deep into northern Australia, where these giant reptiles—known as “salties”—are thriving under decades of conservation, yet increasingly coming into contact with humans. What follows is a story of ecological success tangled with rising local tensions, as the boundaries between wildlife and civilization grow increasingly blurred.

Protected and Powerful: The Rise of the Saltie

Saltwater crocodiles, which can reach lengths of up to 20 feet and weigh over a ton, once faced near extinction due to unchecked hunting across Australia. By the early 1970s, their numbers had plummeted, prompting national legislation that banned the killing of crocodiles and protected their habitats. Since then, the population has rebounded dramatically, turning a once-endangered species into a conservation success story.

But with that success comes a new challenge. These prehistoric predators, now thriving in rivers, estuaries, and coastal wetlands, are increasingly venturing closer to populated areas. As Williams explains, the crocodiles’ instinctual drive to claim territory and ambush prey often places them in dangerous proximity to swimmers, fishermen, and tourists. Although they are legally protected, their growing presence is sparking anxiety among locals who fear a fatal encounter is only a matter of time.

Encounters at the Edge: Human-Wildlife Conflict on the Rise

In recent years, Australia has seen a rise in reported crocodile sightings and attacks, particularly in the Northern Territory and Queensland. These aren’t isolated events. Some communities are seeing crocodiles basking on riverbanks not far from schools or boats, and in some cases, making their way into backyards and livestock pens.

For Indigenous communities and long-time locals who have lived alongside these creatures for generations, the resurgence brings mixed emotions. On one hand, there’s pride in the return of an iconic species; on the other, real concern for safety. The problem is compounded by Australia’s growing ecotourism industry, which brings more people into saltie territory each year. Rangers, scientists, and wildlife officers are tasked with managing this delicate balance, often facing public pressure to act when crocodiles get too close for comfort.

Conservation vs. Control: What’s the Right Response?

Managing a population of protected predators is no easy task. Australia’s policy on saltwater crocodiles forbids killing them unless they pose an immediate threat, and even then, relocation is preferred over lethal action. But relocation isn’t a guaranteed solution. Crocodiles are territorial and can travel great distances to return to familiar areas, which means some become repeat visitors to populated zones.

Authorities now face mounting calls to revisit these protections. Some community leaders argue that crocodile management laws are outdated and don’t reflect today’s risks. Others worry that rolling back protections could reverse decades of progress in environmental stewardship. Holly Williams’ reporting captures these tensions firsthand, highlighting the divide between those who call for stricter controls and those who defend the crocodiles’ right to exist in their natural range.

The Saltie as Symbol: Fear, Fascination, and National Identity

The saltwater crocodile occupies a unique place in the Australian psyche. It is both feared and revered, a creature that has survived since the age of the dinosaurs and now represents both wild beauty and imminent danger. In Aboriginal cultures, the crocodile features in ancestral stories and spiritual practices, often symbolizing strength and protection. Yet in the modern media, they are often portrayed as monsters lurking just beneath the surface.

This dual identity makes the saltie a cultural flashpoint as well as an environmental one. Whether seen as a menace or a marvel, the saltwater crocodile forces Australians to reckon with their place in a landscape still dominated by untamed forces. The 60 Minutes segment brings this into sharp focus, illustrating how one species can trigger such a complex mix of admiration, fear, and frustration.

Nature’s Comeback—and Its Consequences

As conservation efforts succeed and species like the saltwater crocodile reclaim their ecological space, Australia is learning a hard lesson about coexistence. Protecting nature doesn’t always mean insulating humans from its dangers. Instead, it demands careful management, community education, and sometimes, difficult compromises.

The story of the saltie is not just about wildlife—it’s about how humans respond when nature starts pushing back against the boundaries we’ve drawn. In highlighting the growing conflict between these apex predators and their human neighbors, 60 Minutes delivers more than a wildlife report. It offers a reflection on how progress in one area—environmental recovery—can spark new challenges in another: living safely and sustainably alongside the wild.