Pet gecko goes missing on WestJet flight

A young woman who recently moved to B.C. says her beloved pet gecko, Nom, has been missing since she was placed in the cargo of a West Jet flight more than 48 hoursago.

MerylBishop moved from Ottawa to B.C. to work and attend school. She packed up all her belongings for the journey, taking extra care to make sure Nom a tiny gargoyle gecko that measures just a bit over 12 centimetres from head to tail would be safe on the trip.

"She's a sweetheart," saidMeryl, "She'sjust a great little gal... It's been really hard not knowing where she is."

When Merylasked about taking the small pet in the cabin for the flight, she was told that WestJet's policy only allowscats, dogs, birds and rabbits to travel with the passengers. That meant Nom would have to make the long trip alone in the cargo hold.

Meryla linguistic student who named her pet Nom Chomsky[deliberate spelling]in a nod to the American linguist and philospher, Noam Chomsky carefullypacked upNom early Sunday morning for the flight from Toronto to Vancouver. A damp paper towel was included to provide enough hydration for at least 12 hours.But when she went to collect the lizard after the flight, Nom was nowhere to be found.

'We are doing everything possible'

When contacted for an interview, WestJetsent an email detailing itssearch for Nom.

"We are doing everything possible to find and return Nom including engaging baggage and cargo handlers and airport staff in both Toronto and Vancouver," the airline wrote."In addition, we have issued a nationwide alert to all of our cargo bases to conduct a thorough search of all warehouses across the WestJet network. We will continue to stay in touch with our guest to keep her apprised of the situation."

While Merylbelieves the airline isdoing itsbest to find hermissing pet, she worries that little Nom is gone for good.

"Ifshe's not found, I'm going toaskfor something in return," saidMeryl,"even though she's really notreplaceable."