How 'the Most Vicious, Horrible Animal Alive' Became a YouTube Star

SALT LAKE CITY — It was late in the day for muskrats to be out on Mill Creek, or at least the stretch that runs between a parking lot and a playground near the southern limits of the city. But there they were, two of them, one big and one small, paddling back and forth past each other like furry ships in the afternoon, seemingly unaware they were being filmed.“They’re so cool, like little beavers,” said Maggie Carter, standing on the riverbank. She held a small camcorder and was staring at its monitor, which displayed a tight shot of the larger muskrat.Her husband, Joseph Carter — 37, short blond hair, wearing black waders over jeans and a T-shirt — walked over with a GoPro camera strapped to his chest and a cage in his hand.“They must be messing with each other, they wouldn’t be coming out like this otherwise,” he said, setting the cage down gently. Inside, an animal flicked its head from side to side, swiveling around the small space. It was an American mink, named Boon. Mr. Carter, who was now opening the door to the cage, is among the country’s more unconventional midsize-pest control specialists, known to…
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