A Eurasian lynx in Šumava National Park, Czech Republic

© Niall Benvie/Minden Pictures

A Eurasian lynx in Šumava National Park, Czech Republic

Shh. It’s National Relaxation Day and this Eurasian lynx is taking that directive seriously. In the European portion of this big cat’s range, it’s the third largest predator—grey wolves and brown bears get the second and first spots, respectively. Here in the forests of Šumava National Park in Czechia (aka the Czech Republic), the lynx population is healthy, with plenty of protected wilderness for the lynx to hunt and maybe catch a snooze in the midday sun.