Which animal is nicknamed “the panda of the sea” due to its threat of extinction and symbolic importance in conservation efforts?

The vaquita

The vaquita is the rarest marine mammal, found only in the Gulf of California. With fewer than 30 individuals estimated to be alive, the vaquita is critically endangered, primarily due to the illegal use of gillnets in the totoaba fishery, a fish whose swim bladder is highly valued on the black market. The fight to save the vaquita from extinction has become a symbol of global conservation efforts, highlighting the urgency of protecting endangered species and their habitats.