A giant panda cub has died just one week after its birth at Washington's D.C's National Zoo.

It was discovered by staff after a distressed noise from its mother, Mei Xiang.

The panda-cam, which allowed the public to watch the new arrival, was turned off as the body was retrieved for evaluation.

The cause of death is yet to be determined, zoo officials said there were no signs of trauma or infection.

The Zoo's director said the team were devastated.

"This is devastating for all of us here. It's hard to describe how much passion and energy and thought and care has gone into this."

Chief veterinarian, Suzan Murray.

"As you might all imagine, the cub was just beautiful, it's a beautiful little body, beautiful face, with the markings just beginning to show around the eye, couldn't have been more beautiful."

The unnamed cub was born on September 16 after five years of failed efforts at conception.