Parade uniforms, marching bands, military honors, official speeches, and individual decorations set the stage on November 26, 2024, at the Monkoto headquarters and the Yokelelu and Anga stations. These events marked the unprecedented retirement celebration of 31 eco-guards at the Salonga National Park (SNP) , held with great honor and dignity.

The Salonga National Park Management Unit  gave this event a solemn character, celebrating a combined 835 years of service that included professional experiences spanning over 10 parks and protected areas across the DRC.

This process, initiated two years ago with the identification of staff who had reached or surpassed the professional age limit, involved individual consent and culminated in Decision No. 018 of November 22, 2024, which formalized the retirement of select ICCN personnel at SNP. Upon retirement, each individual was promoted to the next rank. The retirees included one director, two conservators, one guard officer, two senior guard non-commissioned officers, six chief brigadiers, two brigadiers, two guard non-commissioned officers, and 15 principal guards.

This cohort primarily consisted of individuals born in the 1950s and 1960s who had been serving since the 1970s, dedicating 35 to 50 years to environmental protection.

The event also provided an opportunity to announce upcoming eco-guard recruitment waves and to highlight to the younger generations living near the park the value and nobility of environmental conservation work.