The prct population in captivity is scientifically controlled in AZA facilities using a breeding book and genetic software. All captive toads and their offspring belong to the government of Puerto Rico, and the keeper of the breeding book assigns numbers to them, which allows them to be tracked throughout their lives. Six times a year, the SSP coordinator issues breeding recommendations to the participating institutions, which evaluate the lines and determine the appropriate partners and the desired number of offspring in order to maintain optimal genetic diversity. Every three years the population is also analysed by AZA population consultants from the population management centre (PMC) together with the livestock book coordinator and keeper. Every four years, the SSP may import toads or tadpoles from the wild to increase genetic diversity, ensure long-term stability of captive populations and reintroduction programmes.

The captive population typically ranges from 700 to 800 individuals and is currently spread across 32 sites. Of these institutions, the breeding population is managed in 18 institutions, which are kept in isolated premises or buildings. These areas are maintained using standardised breeding and quarantine methods for reintroduced amphibians (Poole and grow, 2012). Genetically overgrown toads from the breeding population are kept for exhibition. After transfer to exhibition groups, toads shall never mix with breeding populations in order to limit the potential spread of disease to wild populations during reintroduction.