Stingray petting pools are popular attractions at aquariums and zoos, but welfare concerns about chronic stress in these long-lived animals have prompted welfare reviews.
Stingrays subjected to continuous handling by multiple strangers daily show physiological stress indicators that do not habituate over time, suggesting chronic rather than acute stress. The removal of defensive barbs — performed to protect visitors from stings — causes acute pain and removes a behavioral option that the animal would use to communicate discomfort in natural settings. Long-lived stingrays that spend years in touch pool conditions may experience cumulative welfare harm extending over much of their lifespan. The educational value of touch pools does not clearly justify the welfare cost.