London, Oct 15 (IANS): The first Sumatran tiger cub to have been born in a London zoo in 17 years, barely two weeks ago, has been found dead.

London Zoo said they are "distraught" after the first tiger cub to be born at London Zoo in 17 years was found dead Saturday morning, The Independent reported Tuesday.

On being unable to notice the cub on the den cameras, the keepers at the zoo raised the alarm.

The cub was discovered on the edge of the pool inside the tigers' enclosure, a ZSL London Zoo spokeswoman said. It had not been named or sexed as it was so young.

“The keepers are naturally very distraught. They work very closely with the tigers, so it is incredibly sad news for them,” she said.

The world watched as five-year-old Sumatran tiger Melati gave birth to the cub two weeks ago in a den fitted with hidden cameras, after being pregnant for 105 days. She was in labour for just six minutes.

A post-mortem examination conducted Sunday confirmed the cub had drowned, the spokeswoman added.