Here's why:
* Blue whales are classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List. This means they face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
* Giant pandas are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. While still facing a risk of extinction, they are not as critically endangered as blue whales.
While both species face serious threats, the blue whale population is much smaller and more critically endangered due to factors like:
* Whaling: Blue whales were hunted extensively in the past, leading to a drastic decline in their numbers.
* Climate change: Ocean warming and acidification negatively impact their habitat and food sources.
* Pollution: Marine pollution can harm blue whales and their prey.
While giant pandas face threats like habitat loss and poaching, their conservation efforts have been more successful in boosting their population numbers.