Himalayan griffon vulture spotted in Coimbatore district Updated: Updated: It is the first sighting of the large raptor in the district Share Article A Coimbatore-based birder recently sighted and photographed a Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis) at Anaikatti, the first recording of the large raptor in the district. An old world vulture native to the Himalayas and Tibetan plateau, Himalayan griffon vulture has previously been sighted at Moyar Valley in the Nilgiris and at Point Calimere in Tamil Nadu. According to D. Gajamohanraj, who sighted the vulture, he spotted a large raptor on flight from Anaikatti ghat section around 5.10 p.m. while returning home after a regular birding session with his family at the Nilgiri Biosphere Nature Park on February 21.