On a small, rugged island nation nestled between Indonesia and Australia, high peaks plunge toward coastal mangroves, river deltas and warm glittering shallows — and into the domain of one of nature's most formidable predators.

Timor-Leste is crocodile country.

Saltwater crocodiles thrive here, lurking in brackish river mouths, gliding through coastal wetlands and basking on muddy banks baked by equatorial sun. They are the largest reptile on the planet and can live for decades.

For generations, proximity to the creature rarely felt dangerous to the people of Timor-Leste. Crocodiles weren’t something to fear — they were sacred guardians.

That relationship drew the team behind “Deadly 60” to the island.…