MINNEAPOLIS — Federal authorities said they’ve now been contacted by a representative for the Minnesota dentist who killed a protected lion in Zimbabwe.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tweeted Friday that the agency was voluntarily contacted a day earlier by a representative of Walter Palmer and appreciated the cooperation.

An agency spokesman verified the tweet but declined further comment.

The agency sent out a public statement Thursday saying it had made multiple attempts to reach Palmer, and it asked that the dentist or his representative immediately contact agency officials.

The agency is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the lion, named Cecil. Friday’s tweet says the investigation is ongoing.