Gulf Livestock 1 signaled a crisis early Wednesday when Amami was about 185 kilometers (115 miles) west of Oshima Island, between Okinawa and Kyushu, the main island in southern Japan.
The area was swept away by a powerful hurricane in the East China Sea, the equivalent of a Class 4 hurricane with winds of at least 130 miles per hour, at which point the ship went missing.
The rescued sailor was found in the water late Wednesday night more than half a day later. He was in good health, the Coastguard said.
The 133.6-meter-long (438-foot) ship, built by 39 Filipinos, two New Zealanders and two Austral Australians, was en route from Napier in New Zealand to Tangshan in China, according to officials from Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
According to the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, he left New Zealand on August 17 with a consignment of more than 5,800 cows.
The Philippine Foreign Affairs Department said its consulate general in Osaka is monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Japanese Coast Guard, which is launching another search and rescue mission.
Another hurricane in the region, Typhoon Hashen, is expected to be strong by the end of the week, equivalent to a Class 4 hurricane. On Sunday it is likely to threaten Kyushu, and on Monday it will potentially affect the Korean Peninsula.
The Japan Meteorological Agency is warning that the hurricane could be the third-largest hurricane in the country since records began nearly 70 years ago.
The New Zealand Livestock 1 incident explains why the export of live animals should not be allowed, says a New Zealand animal rights group.
“These cows should never be in the ocean. To make matters worse, they are all likely to be pregnant,” said Marianne McDonald, campaign manager for animal rights group Safe NZ.
“This is a real crisis, and our thoughts are with the families of the 43 crew missing from the ship. But, questions remain, including why this trade is allowed to continue,” Mad Cadonade said in a statement.
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