At best, there is debate on the research on whether or not stingrays enjoy being touched. For instance, research from the AZA-certified Shedd Aquarium in Chicago suggested that the animals don't suffer from their contact with people and may even enjoy them in 2017. 5 However, only a year later, 34 of the 42 cow nose stingrays that were part of the touch exhibit at the aquarium unexpectedly passed away.