Popokarimu

Popokarimu (which is a Swahili word which means "Generous Bat") is a B.O.W. (Bio-Organic Weapon) created by TRICELL after experimenting with the DNA of bats and silkworms, and then combining the two with a Type 2 Plaga parasite. They were intended to be developed as a mass-market B.O.W. but it only managed to reach the prototype stage.

It resembled an enormous Bat but with additional insect body parts at the back end which were positioned upright, such as the thorax and abdomen. They appeared to be fairly muscular and whilst on the ground they would use their strong front wings to push themselves forward, using their rear insect-esque legs for balance. In their air, they simply flew similarly to a regular Bat. Their heads resembled a vampire Bat entirely, albeit with much larger and sharper teeth.

One such prototype was being transported to a meeting location by employee Ricardo Irving for a potential buyer but when the meeting location was leaked to the B.S.A.A. who then passed on this info to Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar. Upon realising what had happened, Irving decided to release the monster hoping that it would kill the agents and also demonstrate its power admirably.

Unfortunately, the creature was seemingly eliminated when it was shot out of the air and crash landed onto a precariously balanced truck - which then subsequently fell down a ravine and exploded into flames. Somehow, the creature later managed to recover from this and returned to the skies, looking for its prey.

Surprisingly, the Popokarimu had tracked them to some nearby underground ruins and engaged the B.S.A.A. agents there. While it was impressive in combat and seemingly unkillable with bullets, it was killed when a part of the ruins crushed it to death.

It's not thought any other prototypes of the Popokarimu were developed, although regular Bats have been infected with the t-Virus in the past which have yielded fairly positive results.

Interestingly, their name is based on the fact that they carried expensive item (a green, heart shaped crystal named a Soul Gem). Perhaps they had a fondness for 'shiny' things like some animals. It's also worth mentioning that their weak point (the insectoid abdomen) is actually highlighted in the first battle, by sunlight - it glows orange-red at certain points.