EXCLUSIVE

The dentist who killed Cecil the lion can acquit himself by putting down his bow and arrow and picking up a drill.

An official from the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force tells TMZ, as much as they condemn what Dr. Walter Palmer did to their beloved lion, they don't think he deserves the torrent of threats that have come his way.

The org has an idea ... that Dr. Palmer should come back to Zimbabwe and provide free dental services to the poor ... a way of repenting for his bad deed. He says it's like community service.