CLEVELAND — It’s "Face Your Fears" week at Channel 3! First up, Maureen Kyle, who is terrified of stingrays.
With the help of the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, she conquered her fear. OK, well maybe it's better to say she at least faced it..
Senior Aquarist Ray Popik showed Maureen how to properly attract the stingrays. He says stingrays, especially ones in the touch tank, are perfectly safe.
“We’re going to get them to come over and you can touch them on your backs nice and gently. They’re very smooth, almost a little bit slimy, but if you want to reach over while I get one of their attention you can touch them on the back,” says Popik.
Maureen’s biggest question: Do they sense fear?
“They pick up on the electric impulses of your nerves releasing when you move your muscles, gasps, you’re fine,” Popik told her.
And then... Maureen stepped inside the tank. Watch how she handled her fear in the player above.
For anyone who is fearless when it comes to sting rays and other marine life, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium has a live feed for people to take part in every day at 3 p.m.